Benjamin M. "Gentle Ben" Powers, Jr., 54, of Kenosha, passed away on Friday, October 6th, 2006, at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, following a heart transplant surgery. Born on January 28 1952, in Ft. Leavenworth, KS, he was the son of the late Benjamin M. and Audrey (O'Laughlin) Powers, Sr. As a young child he moved to Tomahawk, WI, then Waukegan, IL, where he received his education, and later to Kenosha in 1988. On April 18, 1998, he married Jane Kurtz in Bristol, WI. He was formerly employed as a roll wrapper for Chicago Rubber in Illinois, where he was a Union Steward of the International Association of Machinists, and later Contact Rubber in Bristol, until his retirement in 2000, due to his declining health. He was a co-owner, with his wife, of B & J's Pampered Pup Bakery for the past four years. He volunteered at D & D Quality Trim Dies in Kenosha and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He is survived by his wife, Jane of Kenosha; a daughter, Kelly Powers of Waukegan; a son, Jonathon Powers of Waukegan; a step-daughter, Elizabeth Ramirez of Kenosha; a brother, Michael Powers of Tennessee; a sister, Vickie (Edward) Willems of Tennessee; and one grandchild, Macayla Rose Powers. He was preceded in death by one brother, Marlin Powers. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 9th, at Proko Funeral Home, at 1:00 pm. Interment to be private. Visitation will be held on Monday morning at the funeral home from 10:00 am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family would be appreciated. The family would like to urge everyone to become an organ donor because it does save lives.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533www.prokofuneralhome.com