Philippson, Benjamin Charles

Benjamin Charles Philippson, 85, of Manchester, died Monday, Oct. 4, 2010, at the Good Neighbor Home. Funeral mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester by the Rev. John Flaherty. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Manchester, with a wake service at 6 p.m. Additional visitation one hour before services Thursday at the church. Burial at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Manchester, with military honors.

Ben was born April 8, 1925, in Red Oak, Iowa, the son of Carl and Mary (Smith) Philippson. He graduated from North High School in Des Moines. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II serving from 1943 to 1945, receiving the Purple Heart. Then attended AIB. He was united in marriage to Laura Gilbert on Feb. 5, 1955, at St. Mary Catholic Church. Ben worked for the United States Post Office as a mail carrier for over 30 years.

Ben was an active individual in the community, serving on the football “chain gang,” enjoying swimming and was a pilot.

Ben is survived by three children, Mary Kate (Theresa Rounds) Philippson of Minneapolis, Minn., Ray (Jane) Philippson of Manchester, and Brian (Cruz Garcia) Philippson of Casa Grande, Ariz,; five grandchildren, Sara, Ryan (Kaitlyn Vorwald), Adam, Christopher and Kate; one sister, Sallie Boat Herriman; and one sister-in-law, Betty Wilkins.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bill; and a son, Chuck and his wife, Laura in 1993.

A memorial fund has been established in Ben's name.

Please sign the online guest book for Ben at under obituaries.