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Benedict G. Gress, 84, of Allentown, died in his home Sunday, March 8, 2009. Born March 21, 1924 in Bloomsburg, he was a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Wasko) Gress. His wife, Mary Marge (Yarema) Gress preceded him in death in 1992. A veteran of World War II, Ben served in the Army. He worked as a manager for his fathers meat business, Gress Brothers. He later worked as a meat department manager at Georges Foodliner and various other local businesses. For the last 25 years he dedicated his life to crime watch. He founded and headed Mountainville No. 30 Crime Watch, helping raise funds by running a coca-cola wagon throughout the year. He designed and procured the new Allentown Crime Watch signs. Ben was involved in D.A.R.E., a program to resist drugs and violence. He was coordinator of the annual Leonard Buck Awards Banquet for the city. He was a president of the Presidents Crime Watch Council, Allentown. Ben received the Governors Award for support of Pennsylvania Crime Watch. He received many other awards locally and from state representatives in Harrisburg for his dedication and work. He served on the board for Properties of Merit and the community advisory board for the Allentown State Hospital Secure Treatment Unit. For many years he was a dedicated usher at MunOpCo Theatre. Ben also served as a greeter at the Gress Mountain Ranch in support of animal sanctuary. He was a member of St. Pauls Roman Catholic Church. Ben, we celebrate your life as an extraordinary person, a real life hero. Your exceptional display of character is an inspiration to all of us. Ben was a wonderful Home Town Hero. Survivors: Sons, Ben G. Gress Jr., and his wife, Kathryn, of Orefield, Jeffrey G. Gress of Allentown; brother, Richard Gress; grandchildren, Tina Ballard in California, Courtney and Jenai Gress, both in Maryland. Ben was preceded in death by brothers, Donald, James, John and Francis Gress. Services: Viewing Friday, March 13 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, March 14 from 9-10 a.m. both in the K.V. Knopp Funeral Home, Inc., 46 E. Susquehanna Street, Allentown. Mass of Christian Burial to follow Saturday 10:30 a.m. in St. Pauls Roman Catholic Church. Interment to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem. Contributions: In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Mountainville No. 30 Crime Watch, c/o the funeral home. Published in the Morning Call on 3/11/2009

Sunday, March 8, 2009