Benjamin 'Bennie' Candelaria

| February 2, 2009 8:00 PM

Benjamin "Bennie" Candelaria of Sandpoint, Idaho, passed away Jan. 21, 2009, at the age of 70. He was born on July 4, 1938, in Merced, Calif., to parents Carl and Mary Candelaria.

Ben leaves behind his wife of 18 years, Marylou; his children including daughter, Sandra Quiroz and her husband, Ray, and their daughter, Dezirae, of Myrtle Creek, Ore. Dezirae was Poppa Ben's little beegie. Also, his son, Gary Candelaria and his fiancée, Janice Vickery of Colfax, Wash., and her sons Jason and Kyle; his daughter, Brenda Candelaria of Oakland, Calif; and, stepchildren, Cheryl Larson and husband, Jon, and their children, Elliot, Erin and Evan, of Marysville, Calif., and Natalie Junge and husband, Brad, and daughter, Ally, of Spokane, Wash.; brothers, Dale, Joey, and Dominick; and sisters Carrie and Carlee, all of California. He was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Soares; and his parents.

He lived his life to the fullest even to the very end, doing what he loved; duck hunting, golfing, working outside at his ranch, fishing, and enjoying family and friends. He was always there to lend a helping hand, from snow plowing the neighbors' driveway to lending a stranger a bag of decoys so they could have a good hunt.

Ben did not know a stranger and made sure to keep in contact with family and friends throughout the years. He had a fondness for animals, especially his black labs and his small dog, Casper. Ben was truly full of life and his enthusiasm was infectious. He really did know how to have fun.

He will be missed more than words can say. We love you, Ben.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, at 3 p.m. at Cedar Hills Church, 4100 McGhee Road, No. 1, in Kootenai, Idaho, with Pastor Eric Rust, officiating. Following the service, there will be a potluck dinner at the Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave., Sandpoint.

Family and friends are invited to sign Ben's online guest book at www.coffelt.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.