Benjamin Michael Herndon

Benjamin Michael Herndon lost his battle with powers and principalities when he died by suicide on May 28, 2021, at Chilkat Lake, Alaska.


Benjamin was lured to Alaska by the promise of adventure and alternatives to the Christian worldview in which he was raised in Sagle by his surviving, loving parents, Scott and Arlene Herndon, and his brothers and sisters, Hannah, Heidi, Jonathan, Naomi, Gretchen, Esther and David. He is also survived by several grandparents and his uncle and aunt, Sagle residents Paul and Debra Herndon; as well as several local cousins.


Benjamin lived in Sagle for 14 years and contributed his craftsmanship to many homes working for his dad in the family home building business. He was a talented guitar player, loved outdoor adventure, and he won several awards at the Bonner County Fair for his exceptional ability to carve. He was a strong boy who helped on the family homestead in Sagle.


Though in Alaska, Ben enjoyed sweet interaction with his parents and siblings the last six months of his life. Ben professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized at Priest Lake in 2018. 


Ben worked for some good Christian men at Zen Bathworks in Haines, Alaska, the last three months of his life and enjoyed the hospitality of some of them. On May 14, the company credits Ben with saving the business from what would have been a devastating fire.


Though Ben chose to take his own physical life, Almighty God is sovereign and loved Ben more than we ever could. Ben is now in the hands and the care of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we are trusting that Ben’s mustard seed of faith, like the faith of Abraham, will be accounted for righteousness, and that we will see Ben again at the marriage supper of the Lamb.


A wonderful funeral service will be held Saturday June 12, 2021, at The Assembly Sandpoint, 423 N. Lincoln Ave., Sandpoint, with service starting at 11 a.m. All who knew Ben and who wish to support his family are invited and encouraged to attend. We will bury Ben at the Seneacquoteen Cemetery following the funeral service.

Benjamin was preceded in death by his grandfather, Michael J. Faulkner, who was an Oakland, California police officer killed in the line of duty in 1981. Donations in Ben’s memory can be made to the Oakland Police Emergency Net, 555 Fifth Street, Oakland, CA 94607.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Ben's online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.