Benjamin Wilks, known to family and friends simply as Ben, was only 29 years old when his life was cut short in a horrific, unexpected accident on June 2nd.
A Wichita, Kansas native, Ben was described by those closest to him as the heart of his family. His sharp wit, infectious humor, and deep love for the people around him left an impression on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Ben grew up and lived his whole life in Wichita, and the community there is still processing the shock of losing someone so young.
His sister Bri Grim has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help their parents manage the financial burden of his funeral and burial expenses, hoping to give Ben a service that truly reflects the life he lived.
A Life Full of Love and Laughter
Those who knew Ben remember him most for his sarcasm, which was practically his first language, and his extraordinary ability to make people smile no matter what was happening around him.
He had a rare quality of being able to connect with both children and adults in the same breath, cracking a joke that landed perfectly with a toddler and then turning around with something equally sharp for the grown-ups in the room.
Ben never had children of his own, but he was a devoted uncle to his many nieces and nephews, who clearly adored him.
He treated his dog Bear with the kind of love most people reserve for their own kids. He was not someone who liked being in front of a camera, but that shyness around photographs never stopped him from being the biggest presence in any room he walked into.
From a young age, Ben had already proven himself to be a fighter. He beat the odds on more than one occasion throughout his short life, which made the suddenness of his passing even harder to accept. His parents were incredibly close to him, and the loss has left the entire family shattered.
Family Seeks Support to Cover Burial Costs
Planning a funeral while drowning in grief is an overwhelming and exhausting experience, and that is exactly the situation Ben’s parents now find themselves in. The GoFundMe campaign, organized by Bri, aims to raise $6,000 to cover funeral and burial costs, as well as other expenses tied to planning his service and clearing out his home.
As of now, the campaign has raised over $2,700 from 26 donors, many of whom left heartfelt notes expressing their grief and love for Ben and his family. His parents want to lay him to rest in a place where he can one day be reunited with his grandmother, a wish the family holds deeply.
Anyone who wishes to contribute to helping Ben’s family through this painful time can find the GoFundMe page under the title “Help Benjamin’s Family Honor His Memory.” Every donation, no matter the size, goes directly toward easing the financial weight on two parents who are already carrying more than anyone should have to bear.
Ben Wilks was, by every account, a light in this world. Wichita lost one of its own, and the people who loved him are simply asking for a little help to send him off right.
