Harold B. McElhatten

Harold Benjamin McElhatten, known as “Ben” by most, age 81, of Shippenville, entered into his eternal life in Heaven with his Lord and Savior on April 14, 2025.  He passed away at Kadima Rehabilitation and Nursing in New Wilmington, PA, after a period of declining health and battle with dementia.     

Born September 8, 1943, in Shippenville, PA, he was the son of the late Neil and Millie Knight McElhatten. 

Ben graduated from Keystone High School in 1961. In March of 1965, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and served his country in Vietnam as a generator mechanic before being honorably discharged in March of 1967.

On November 9, 1974, Ben was married to Jeanne Cramer, who preceded him in death on January 15, 2022. 

In his earlier years, Ben worked as an electrician wiring modular homes. Most of his career was spent as a self-employed carpenter. One does not have to look far in the community to find a house or garage he built, including his own, or did some sort of work in. He had a talent for working with his hands and crafted many items on his wood lathe that he bought as a teenager. Ben also worked part-time at Rhea Lumber in Knox before retiring.

Ben loved traveling with his family. He and Jeanne went on numerous cruises and visited nearly 20 countries together. They traveled to 45 states during their 47 years of marriage. They also spent a lot of time camping and fishing or going to flea markets and yard sales.  In fact, their first date was at the Hazen flea market on a Sunday after church. Ben shared a rather unique hobby with his son collecting Pennsylvania hunting and fishing licenses. 

In addition to his loving wife and parents, Ben is preceded in death by his brother, Ronald McElhatten.       

Ben is survived by his son Michael and wife, Tammy, residing in Waxhaw, NC, and his brother Richard, and wife, Linda, residing in Ponca City, OK.   

To honor Ben’s wishes, no funeral service will be held. The family requests memorial donations to be given in his name to the Knox Volunteer Ambulance Service or the Shippenville Volunteer Fire Department.

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