Benjamin West Piersol

Benjamin West Piersol III, cherished son of Benjamin W. Jr. and Judith A. Sheetz Piersol, passed away and entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Friday, January 24th, in Montana. His spirit and love will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him. He is also survived by his sister, Rebecca A., married to Jack G. Connors, also of Montana. Fondly known as "Little Ben" by family and friends, his untimely death will be mourned by many in both Pennsylvania and Montana. He touched many lives, especially his cousins, who were like siblings to him, with a positive and everlasting friendship. Originally from the Mount Joy-Manheim area, Ben graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School, Class of 2007, where he formed many lifelong friends. After moving to Montana with his family, he attended Montana State University in Bozeman with bold aspirations of becoming a dentist. His career was spent developing dental skills while working for various dentists in Bozeman and for Montana Implants and Periodontics of Helena. Ben's love and friendship for those he encountered never wavered. These caring traits led him to meet many people who introduced him to an adventure-filled life. A Sporting Clays enthusiast, he enjoyed many outings with his father, sharing their craft. He often traveled "back East" to visit friends and family, yet his love for the West remained steadfast. He loved the mountains and the vastness that the mid-state of Montana offered. He spent many days hiking with his Border Collies (Sister, Blue, and Kipp), taking in the open skies and climbing the many peaks of the Beartooth, Crazy, and Bitterroot Mountain Ranges of Montana. His time learning about nature and studying animal tracks and their physical markings left by bears, wolves, and deer fascinated him and gave him great joy. Such was his joy that he often shared photos of his explorations with others, texting his family and friends with magnificent pictures of the West, fallen tree patterns, or something as minute as ant hills. He loved to ski and discovered more friends on the slopes, where he found peace surveying the lofty heights. Although his time with us was short-lived, he touched many lives with positive and everlasting friendships and a love that will be deeply missed. Literal words are difficult to describe the loss and heartbreak of the people who loved him the most. In addition to his mother, father, and sister, Ben is survived by three aunts, Cathy married to Dennis Martin of Elizabethtown, PA; Jessica Sheetz-Nguyen, PhD married to Kenneth Nguyen; Mary Sheetz Lynam, married to Mark Lynam; two uncles, Jonathan R. Sheetz, married to Donna McNamara Sheetz; all of Mount Joy and Christopher J. Sheetz, companion of Tina M. Slabonik of Harrisburg, seven cousins: Greg Martin married to Crystal Clontz-Martin from Charlotte, NC, and Christopher Martin married to Danelle (McCullough) Martin, of Banner Elk, NC; Andrew J. Lynam of Baltimore; Ian M. married to Grace Obando Lynam; Peter M. Sheetz married to Jaycie Henderson all of Mount Joy; Mary Lynam Lukens married to Kyle of Media; Stephen R. Sheetz of Asheville NC, and James W. Sheetz of Philadelphia. He was preceded in death by his sister Rachel E., paternal grandparents Benjamin W. Sr. and Anna Hoffman Piersol, and maternal grandparents Gerald R. and Mary H. Reich Sheetz. All services will be private. Ben will be interred with his sister Rachel and grandparents in Mount Joy Cemetery. In place of flowers, his family would deeply appreciate memorial contributions to the Humane League of Lancaster (https://humanepa.org).

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Benjamin West Piersol

March 21, 1989 - January 24, 2025