Ben R. Atto
AUGUST 5, 1937 – NOVEMBER 24, 2021
Ben R. Atto, 84, of Terre Haute, passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2021 at Union Hospital. He was born on August 5, 1937, in Greene County to Ben and Fay (Stantz) Atto. He married Sandra Williams on September 1, 1959.
Ben is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sandy Atto of Terre Haute; daughter, Cindy Cormican and husband, Gary, of San Antonio, Texas; grandsons, Joshua Cormican and wife Stacey of San Antonio, Christopher Cormican and wife, Rosemary, of Whitehouse, Texas, and Nathan Cormican and wife, Jennifer, of Hiawatha, Iowa; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Sharlyn Bland and Norma Page.
Ben was a devout Christian and his relationship with the Lord came first. He attended Faith Baptist Church in Terre Haute and was a member of Gospel Baptist Church in Bonita Springs, Florida. Ben had a beautiful voice, which was how he met his wife. He sang for years with his wife and his daughter in many churches around the Wabash Valley. He was a past member of the Terre Haute Choral Society. At the age of 15, Ben’s father recognized his son’s talent and encouraged him to form a quartet with his cousins, known as Harmony 5. The group gained popularity and sang onstage with The Blackwood Brothers and The Statesmen.
Singing was not Ben’s only talent, he was also an excellent woodworker and highly skilled with the lathe. Ben used his talents throughout the years making exquisite pieces of furniture for Sandy with not a detail overlooked. Ben also loved cars and had a need for speed. In his younger days, he enjoyed drag racing. Ben retired from Alcan Aluminum after 34 years of dedicated service in the maintenance department. Most of all, Ben was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be truly missed.
Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 30 at Roselawn Funeral Home. A Celebration of Ben’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, at the funeral home, with Pastor Grant Utley and Pastor Jim Gibson officiating. Ben will be laid to rest in Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.roselawnfuneralhome.net
