Ben Schebella turns 102
On Valentine?s Day, Ben Schebella of Bowen Road celebrated his 102nd birthday. Ben still lives by himself in a house he built for his family in 1939. He remains in good health and enjoys watching televison, reading, and reminiscing about the past.
Ben was married to Minnie Mae Lincoln for 55 years before she passed away. Ben has three children who are grown, Yvonne Walsh, Gail Alford, and Gary Schebella. Ben boasts a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ben Schebella was born on his grandparents farm in Hagensville in 1906 to Steve and Rose (Kowalski) Schebella. His parents owned a home in Metz at the time of the great fire of 1908, which destroyed everything they owned. Ben recalls getting help from the Red Cross as many families did.
When Ben was four years old, the family moved to Tower so his father could follow the work, he worked in the woods cutting timber. Ben remembered when Tower was a busy area because of the mill and many saloons.
The family didn?t stay in Tower long before they moved to Onaway down a then muddy two-track road. His father took a job at the Lobdell plant where he worked for many years, and as Ben grew older he would work there removing knots from wooden rims and steering wheels and filling in the holes.
He is looking forward to turning 103 next year.