Benjamin Giles

Ben’s life began on March 2, 1946 in Stafford, KS but claims to have legally changed it to March 17th- St. Patrick’s Day. He is the son of Benjamin Manning Giles and LaVera (Schartz) Giles. Ben is a graduate of Larned High School and earned his bachelor’s degree at KU. He was lucky enough to marry “the hottest girl in Larned,” Charlene Pfenninger on December 19, 1965 in Larned. Ben approached life like he approached skiing. He would put his skis together and head straight down the mountain, stop and wait for his family to catch up and as soon as the last person would stop, he would make some cheesy pun like “it’s all down-hill from here,” and continue to lead his family and friends on an adventure. Although Ben owned his practice, Benjamin M. Giles, CPA he was a man of many interests. At one point he operated his practice out of a used car lot, he served as the Mayor of Towanda, he was the proud owner of a corn machine and was always remodeling the family home. He was an accomplished troublemaker and life of the party as he was always “Red eye” for a good time. At any given time Ben could be found cooking up a good deal or trying to convince a family member or just an acquaintance to get in on his next hot deal or go to St. Maarten with the family. He was an accomplished welder and a skilled “cow butt bumper” when he was out checking his oil leases. His greatest joy was his family which includes his wife Charlene Giles of Towanda; children Richard (Paula) Giles of Kansas City, MO, Greg (April) Giles of Denver, CO, and Angela (Adam) Crews of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren Gera, Addie, Ella, Nathan, Gage and Taylor; and siblings Mary Giles and Rex Giles, both of Larned. Ben passed away at his home on September 23, 2018. He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Mike Giles and Marty Dryden. His family will gather with friends on Saturday from 2-5 p.m. at the Kirby-Morris Life Event Center (224 W. Ash, El Dorado) to celebrate his life. Carlson Colonial Funeral Home is serving his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Towanda Christmas Fund c/o City Treasurer P.O. Box 160 Towanda, KS 67144. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Ben at www.carlsoncolonial.com

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