Ben Lucero, 90, of Niles, passed to his eternal rest on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on Aug. 11, 1928, in Saguache, Colorado, to the late Joseph and Maria (Mondragon) Lucero.

In 1945, at the age of 17, he proudly joined the U.S. Navy and served in World War II. After returning stateside, he bought his own semi-truck and began delivering steel out of Colorado for six years. He then followed his sister, Ruth, and moved to the South Bend/Niles area. He started working for Associated Truck Lines/ANR Truck Lines where he worked for 36 years before retiring.

In 1958, he met the love of his life, Janon Rolfs, of Niles, and they were wed in South Bend on May 3, 1958. They were married 60 years before her passing in October of 2018.

From 1968 to 1971, Ben and Janon owned and operated Lucero’s Taco House, which was the first Mexican restaurant in Niles.

 

After retirement, Ben and Janon bought a motor home. They loved traveling all over the U.S., taking the scenic route. His most treasured time was spending time with family. He loved family gatherings that included cooking for his large family, watching the grandkids swim in the pool and telling his wonderful stories.

Ben was devoted to his family, as he cared for his loving wife in her last years. He was a thoughtful and considerate husband, dad, grandpa and brother.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Janon; sisters, Ruth Gleason, Rosie Martinez, Theodora Candelaria, Reyes Maez and Juanita Solano; and granddaughters, Kathy Sly and Maria Lucero.

Ben is survived by his children, Cindy (Robert) DePoy, of Niles, Craig (Kathy) Sly, of Niles, Steven (Patty) Lucero of Niles, Rhonda (Mike) Brown, of Columbus, Ohio, Dana (Jane) Lucero, of Niles, Marcus (Cheryl Morris) Lucero, of South Bend, Stacie (Trina) Lucero, of South Bend, and Chris (Fauleen) Lucero, of Logansport, Indiana; 20 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Robert (Angie) Lucero, of Hammond, Indiana; sister, Julia Figueroa, of Corpus Christi, Texas; along with a host of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Ben will be at 1 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2019, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel with a time of visitation beginning at noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory may be made to Sumnerville Bible Baptist Church, 61268 Indian Lake Road, Niles, Michigan 49120.

Photos, memories, and condolences may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services.