OXFORD – Benjamin H. St. John, 93 of Oxford, formerly of Norwich and Palm Harbor, Fla., passed away on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006 at the NYS Veterans’ Home, Oxford. 
He was born on July 4, 1913 in Downsville, the son of the late Benjamin B. and Irva (Lewis) St. John. On Nov. 1, 1940 he married the former Mary Rosekrans, who passed away on June 25, 1998.
 He is survived by his children, James and Angela St. John of Newnan, Ga.,  Janet and Rodney Aldrich of Oxford; his grandchildren, Steven and Rebekah St. John and children, Kathryn and Julia of  Winter Springs, Florida, Kevin and Rebecca St. John and son Benjamin of Madison, Wisc., Deborah and P.J. Brown and children, Corey and Brooke, and Patricia and Mark Loewenstein and son Steven of Sidney: his brother and sister in law, James and Wanda St. John of Oneonta. Several nieces and nephews also survive. His sisters, Agnes St. John and Helen Carr, predeceased him.
He was a U.S. Army Air Corp veteran of World War II and received the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.  After being shot down behind enemy lines, he successfully evaded capture.  He was the owner of Ben H. St. John Oil Co. in Oneonta prior to joining  Reese-Marshall Oil Co. in Norwich, where he served as President..  He was a 60 year member and past master of Oneonta Lodge #466 F&AM and the Oneonta Scottish Rite.  He was a past president of the Norwich Kiwanis Club and a life member of the Elks.  He was a member of Highland Lakes Golf Club and also enjoyed bowling.  He attended Faith Bible Church in Oxford.  He was also very handy and especially enjoyed woodworking and making toys.
 A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the NYS Veterans’ Home, Oxford with the Rev. Norman Holtz, pastor of Faith Bible Church in Oxford, officiating.  Inurnment will be in Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, in Palm Harbor, Fla. 
Friends may call at the NYS Veterans’ Home, Oxford on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of  the service. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the NYS Veterans’ Home, Activity Account, 4211 State Highway 220, Oxford, NY 13830 or Hospice of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815,  in memory of Ben and Mary St. John as Hospice was his favorite charity.  
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford.