Benjamin “Chip” Murray Case, age 71, of Ludington lost his long battle with lung cancer, Saturday, May 26, 2018. He was born in Charlevoix to George and Susie (Walker) Case on May 29, 1946, the fifth oldest of 12 children, and one of seven sons.
In his youth, Chip attended a trade school in Ann Arbor where he was the first in his class. He worked for a time at Ford Motor Company as a mechanic before moving to the Ludington area. Chip always worked as a mechanic or in construction. He was good at fixing things, and he loved to fix and resell items he found. Chip would frequent yard sales and resale shops, looking for the best deal he could find. He also enjoyed making art out of leather and collecting knives and guns. Chip was a proud Elder in the Grand Traverse Band of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians. He was an avid reader of books about Native Americans and he enjoyed going to Pow Wows where he met many longtime friends. He loved spending time outdoors and going for walks with his grandson on the dunes. He even had a spot towards the first curve heading to the state park that he claimed as his “homestead”. Chip loved his family and the many gatherings they had over the years, which involved a lot of laughter in telling stories of past events and happenings in growing up in such a large family.
Chips cancer was hard on him and his family. There were several occasions where the family wasn’t sure he would survive, and, yet, he would to the surprise of his family and doctors. His family attributed his surviving to his strong heart and his “nine lives”, like a cat.
Chip will be greatly missed by his three daughters, Xaviera (Brian Morkert) Stockwell of Ludington, Ericka (Terrance O’Brien) Falconer of Ludington, and Anita (Bryan) Madison of Onaway, his grandchildren, Casey and Kieara Stockwell, and Isiah and Stephanie Madison, his great grandchildren, Jack, Penelope, Henry, and Chip. He was an uncle to many nieces and nephews and survived by his siblings, Georgianna Jolly-Comstock, Bernadine Campbell, Lucille LaFrienire, Angeline (Randall) Castie, Don (Helen) Case, Louis “Butch” (Staci) Case, and Bernard (Janice) Case.
Chip was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Casey Ray Gage Case, three brothers, Silas, Herbert “Pug”, and Melvyn, and his sister, Geraldine “Gerri” Masse.
A memorial service will be held Friday, June 1, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Ludington. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Chip will be laid to rest with his son, Casey, at Lakeview Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Ludington.