Bennie F. “Ben” Blansett died Friday, Aug. 6, 2010, at River Region Medical Center. He was 77.

Mr. Blansett was owner of Blansett’s Ornamental Iron and Construction for 42 years until his retirement. He was a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. Mr. Blansett was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2572, American Legion Post 3, Disabled American Veterans and the Masonic Lodge, for all of which he held numerous local, state and national offices, including commander. He was a veteran of the Korean War.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie Blansett and Sallie Russell Blansett of West Point.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Peggy Allison Blansett; two daughters, Olie Elfer (John) and Deborah Lowery (Ricky), and a son, Sidney Meacham (Gail), all of Vicksburg; a brother, Neil Blansett (Barbara), and sister, Louise Hunter, both of West Point; three grandchildren, Alli Elfer, Michele Cole (Josh) and Sidney Meacham Jr., of Vicksburg; two great-grandchildren, McKenzie Cole and Caden Cole; and numerous nieces and nephews and special care giver, Tony Haggard.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Riles Funeral Home with the Reverend Don Williams officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Hill cemetery. Visitation will be today from 2 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Tony Haggard, Gary Butler, Jimmy Gouras, Paul Marshall, Tom Caruthers, Doyle Lee, Phares Griffin and Albert Dornbush.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Hannon, Charles Toney, Richard Marcus, Tom Tinney, Phillip Jones Sr., Herbert Williams, John Bell, Kent Fultz, Kyle Rogers, Joe Gerache Sr., Jimmy Horn, Hosie Thomas Jr., Paul Fields, Greg Hayes, George Bobb, Demery Grubbs, Dr. Dale Reed, Dr. Dan Dare, Dr. Paul Pierce, Dr. William Johnston, members of the KFC Breakfast Club and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2572.

Memorials may be made to the Vicksburg Catholic School, 1900 Grove Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183.