Benjamin Fredrick Blackiston

Benjamin Fredrick Blackiston was called home to be with his Lord on February 28, 2025. 

Born in the family farmhouse in New Albany, Indiana, Benjamin entered this world on May 4,1943 to Benjamin C. and Stella (Ramsier) Blackiston. He was a friendly, enthusiastic boy who loved to fish, play baseball, and find Native American arrowheads along the Ohio River. 

As he grew, Ben enjoyed all of life and people. In high school, he was known by students and teachers as the friendliest guy in school. Not having grown up with musical training, he learned some piano chords and quickly realized a God-given gift of playing music by ear. Playing in a jazz band in college led to an entire lifetime of pure enjoyment of music, both for himself and to bless everyone around him.

While a student at Indiana University, Ben heard the gospel through the ministry of The Navigators. Ben received Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, and his whole life took on new meaning. He loved the Lord deeply and was “all in” in his relationship with Jesus. Ben obeyed God’s prompting to join the Navigators full-time instead of going to dental school.

Ben met his beloved wife Nancy through the Navigators and they were married on December 7, 1968. God used Ben to establish and grow several college campus ministries and mission efforts with The Navigators within the U.S. and Australia, reaching many people for Christ. Moving back to the States in 1986, Ben transitioned into pastoral ministry, where he and Nancy brought their same love of ministry life and discipleship into the local church context. 

While many knew him through a ministry setting, Ben’s children saw him live out his faith authentically at home. His children treasure the memories of Ben encouraging, listening, coaching sports teams, enjoying music, puppets, friendship and laughter. Ben was a godly mentor to his children, sharing his love for God and His Word as he taught things like Scripture memory. But more importantly, Ben modeled the Word. His children and their spouses are so grateful for the eternal impact he made on their lives and walks with Christ. 

Ben was an encouraging entertainer, fully invested in the lives and hearts of others. Ben saw each person as a precious individual who needed the encouragement that they bring to the world something it’s never had before. Ben’s thoughts were on blessing his family and friends with the love and encouragement of God, which he did through Scripture and song until his last breath. It was important to Ben that everyone knew they were deeply loved by the Lord. His life mission was to make disciples who made disciples. His journey came to a peaceful end with Nancy at his side in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Ben will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Curtis Blackiston and Stella (Ramsier) Blackiston, his sister Joan (Blackiston) Rush, and his cherished infant granddaughter, Emily Whitson. His legacy will live on through his beloved wife of 56 years, Nancy (Clark) Blackiston, and the family they raised which stands as a testament of their love and devotion: Amy (Paul) Hansen, Timothy John (Stephanie) Blackiston, Laura (Ryan) Whitson, and Carolyn (Phillip) Vaccarella. His legacy is further carried on by his niece, Robin (Craig) Metcalf, and Ben and Nancy’s precious grandchildren: Mollie, Emma, Caleb, John and Elya Hansen; Reece, Evan, Lake, Hope, Crew, Rhett, Worth, and Belle Blackiston; Sean, Megan, Alayna and Ashlyn Whitson; Stella, Miles, Hazel and Leo Vaccarella. 

Today, as we celebrate the life of Benjamin Fredrick Blackiston, let us hold deeply the personal ways God used him in each of our lives, and seek to bring that same spirit of love and encouragement to those around us. Ben’s parting blessing for each of us is from Hebrews 13:20-21- “And may the God of peace - who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood - may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Ben’s honor and memory to The The Navigators, Samaritan's Purse, Voice of The Martyrs, Berrien Center Bible Church, or Sumnerville Bible Baptist Church. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs, Michigan. There will be a Visitation on Friday, March 21st from 5-7pm followed by a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, March 22 at 11am with a luncheon following. Both the services will be held at Berrien Center Bible Church in Berrien Center, Michigan (8830 M-140, Berrien Center, MI 49102).