Bernard “Ben” Wingrath, 69, passed away Monday, March 2, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Jan. 30, 1957, the son of John and Lois (Boy) Wingrath.
He was a 1957 graduate of Jefferson City High School.
Ben was employed at Unilever (formerly Chesebrough-Ponds) for over 30 years, the last 18 years he worked as a forklift driver in the warehouse.
His passions included hunting, fishing, camping playing cards and games, but most of all he loved farming.
Over the years his farm included horses, chickens, doves, dogs, ducks, cattle, sheep and even fish in his lake. Ben loved sitting on his porch swing and watching his cattle grazing in the field.
He never knew a stranger and made friends everywhere he went. There are many stories of Ben helping complete strangers because that is just who he was. He was a fair and honest man and you felt like his handshake was as good as signing a contract.
Ben was also a never-ending source of dad jokes. He loved to make people laugh. But most of all, Ben loved his family. He often mentioned how proud he was of his children and grandchildren. Ben will be immensely missed, to know him was to love him.
He was preceded in death by parents, John and Lois; sister, Colleen Binkley; and brother-in-law, Sam Binkley.
Ben is survived by long-time partner, Esther Weber; children, Stacey Jacobs and spouse Galen Salmons and Travis Wingrath and wife Jolene, both of Jefferson City; his partner’s daughter, Kim Gale of Kansas City; brothers, John Wingrath and wife Nancy of Henley and Royce Wingrath of Mary’s Home; sisters, Debbie Stockman and husband Dale of Wardsville and Yvonne Barber and husband Terry of Jefferson City; grandchildren, Sadie Jacobs, Hurley Jacobs, Jr. and friend Rylea Sanning, Shanna Jacobs, Andrew Wingrath and friend Destiny Needy, Katlyn Wingrath and Wesley Gale; great-grandchildren, Daxten and Harper; and countless nieces and nephews and friends whom he cherished.
A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held at a later date.
