Obituary of Benjamin Gray Shultz

Benjamin Gray Shultz Lowman: age 12, much-loved son of Mike and Peggy (Patterson) Shultz and great older brother of Alex, died Sunday, May 12, 2013 on the family hobby farm in Lowman as the result of an ATV accident. Ben loved being outside on the farm, driving tractor, riding his bike or the 4-wheeler, throwing rocks in the creek, bringing the cows in, keeping the lawn mowed, shooting hoops, even stacking hay. He was active in 4-H, particularly Dairy Bowl. As a 7th grader at Ernie Davis Middle School, Ben ran cross-country, was an honors student and was to have been inducted into Junior National Honor Society. He was a member of St. Mary's Church, active in the Elmira Catholic Middle School Youth Group, and was recently confirmed. Ben had previously attended Holy Family Elementary and Middle Schools, and prior to that Big Flats Elementary. He had enjoyed attending Fishing Camp at Tanglewood every summer. Other surviving relatives include grandfather Tom Shultz; uncles, aunts and cousins, Tim (Ben's Godfather) and Joan Shultz with Ashley and Megan, Jim and Tricia Shultz with Dominic and Dimitri, Joe and Sue Shultz with Bronson, Karen and Bernie LoBracco with Christina (Dan) Tabor and Neil, Don and Patti Patterson with Scott and Brian, Bernie and Dolores Patterson, Dave and Kathy Patterson with Matt (Tamara), Michael and Daniel, Anne Patterson (Ben's Godmother) and husband Al Davidson with Kim and Chris. He also has several great-aunts and -uncles and many other cousins. Welcoming Ben into heaven are grandparents, Pat and Dee Patterson and Peggy Shultz. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Friday, May 17, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Elmira. In lieu of flowers those wishing may remember Ben with a donation to the Baldwin Volunteer Fire Department, 460 Breesport-North Chemung Road, Lowman NY 14861 or Tanglewood Nature Center, 443 Coleman Avenue, Elmira NY 14903.