Ben Hugh Dutcher

Benjamin “Ben” Hugh Dutcher, age 83, born in Wilmington DE, passed away unexpectedly in his home on January 1, 2023.

He graduated in 1957 from Claymont High School, in Claymont, DE. He was in the National Guard for six years, stationed in El Paso, TX, for radio and radar training, which he enjoyed talking about. He was an apprentice brick layer before establishing his own company, Ben Dutcher Mason Contractor, Inc., which he ran for 40 years, until he had to retire early in 2008 due to his health.

He loved working outdoors doing yard work around his home and taking care of his animals. He loved traditional country music, which included George Jones, Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell and Patsy Cline, and enjoyed speaking about history.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Harrison Dutcher and Nora (McKinley) Dutcher.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Janice Edwina (Parsons) Dutcher, his two daughters, Deborah Dutcher Wilson and her husband Glenn, and Dawn Marie Dutcher Graney and her husband Joe, his two grandchildren, whom he adored, Joshua and Emily Graney, his sister Barbara (Dutcher) Sweiderk and his three cats: Tabitha, Little One and BabyCakes.

Ben’s funeral services will take place on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 12:00 pm at Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St. Milton, DE 19968. A time of visitation will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will be held at Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery, Milton, DE.

Flowers are accepted, however the family encourages donations be made to the Delaware Humane Association, https://www.humaneanimalpartners.org/give/give-now/. Online condolences may be sent at shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.