Funeral Details

Ben Siegel

July 30, 1957 - March 21, 2026

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Service

Chicago Jewish Funerals
Buffalo Grove Chapel
195 North Buffalo Grove Road
Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089
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Clergy

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill

Interment

Waldheim Jewish Cemetery
1700 South Harlem Avenue
Forest Park, Illinois 60130
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Shiva

The Siegel Residence
4206 North Walnut Avenue
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004
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Tuesday and Wednesday from 6PM - 9PM

Memorial Contributions

American Brain Tumor Association
8550 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Unit 550
Chicago, Illinois 60631
give.abta.org/StephenSiegel

or

Marklund
1S450 Wyatt Drive
Geneva, Illinois 60134
www.marklund.org




OBITUARY

Ben Siegel, age 68.

Beloved husband of Michelle Siegel, nee Karlins. Dear father of Margie (Joe) Benak and Andy Siegel. Proud Papa of Isaac. Cherished brother of Sheldon (Linda) Siegel and brother-in-law of Mike (Myrna) Karlins and Russ (Laura) Karlins. Fond uncle of Alan Siegel, Matt (Stephanie) Karlins, Marissa (Mike) Maklyn, Monica (Cameron) Lawrence, and the late Stephen (Lauren) Siegel. Treasured great-uncle of Sedona. Loving cousin of Joe, Jan, and Julia Garber, Sandy Weinstein (Beryl), and Larry (Michelle) Weinstein.

Ben was a lifelong and enthusiastic fan of the Chicago Bears, Cubs, Bulls, Blackhawks and the Illinois Fighting Illini. He was also an avid golfer, bowler, and bocce baller. He loved to watch his children play sports, and he was a caring and loyal friend.

Service Tuesday 10 AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 195 North Buffalo Grove Road (One block north of Lake Cook Road), Buffalo Grove. Interment Waldheim Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Unit 550, Chicago, give.abta.org/StephenSiegel or to Marklund 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva, Illinois 60134, www.marklund.org. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals – Buffalo Grove Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

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I am so sorry to hear of Ben's passing. I knew him well during our school years and Ben was always among the nicest, and kindest. I would have liked so much to pay my respects this Tuesday and Wednesday but am out of town for a week.
Sending prayers to you, his wonderful family,
Phil Siegel

Phil Siegel
March 22, 2026
Engulfed with sadness, we reflect upon the wonderful 26 years of fond memories.
We were lucky to have Ben in our lifes.
Sunday fish dinners will be cherished.
Thank you for teaching us to appreciate the moment while gazing at bonfire flames during lag BaOmer or sitting in the sukkah.
May you rest in peace
Yoram and Nira

Nira Yoram
March 22, 2026
Dear Michelle and Family,
My sincere condolences. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family and sending strength and comfort during this difficult time.

Scott Rubin
March 22, 2026
Ben and I were teammates on bocce teams for a number of seasons, he was a very exceptional player and an honorable gentleman. I truly enjoyed his company and competitiveness. He became a dear friend to all he met. I am so sorry to learn of his passing and hoped this year I would have been again his teammate. He will be missed by all of our group at bocce ball. God will look kindly on Ben was a humble and good human man. I am so sorry and condolences to his family, they will be in my prayers.

Fred L Sturgeon Sturgeon
March 23, 2026
We are praying for peace, solace, and healing for you and your family, and that you feel surrounded by love and comfort.
Harold and Cindy Steinman

Harold Steinman
March 23, 2026
My favorite things about Ben were his passion for his family, sports, and his incredible smile. Ben's smile lit up every room he walked into. He loved his family with passion and they were his world. I was lucky to know Ben for over 40 years and every time we met up when he would come to visit his brother in California, he was always full of joy. We are sending all of our California love to Michelle and the family and our deepest sorrow for their loss.

Love,
Julie, Matthew, Aiden & Ari

Julie Harris
March 23, 2026
In the short time we got to know Ben, we came to love his sweet temperament and loving family ways, not to mention his sharp sense of humor and fanatic Chicago teams loyalty! Our hearts go out to the whole family.

Gary & Debbie Field
March 23, 2026
So sorry to hear this very sad news. Please know our heartfelt thoughts are with you Michelle and your entire family.. May his memory be a blessing and wrap you with his everlasting love.

Raisa & Lee Budowsky
3/23/2026

Raisa Budowsky
March 23, 2026
Ben was a good guy & a good Bocce player always upbeat he was my teammate several years ago when we made the playoffs only I did not play so well so we lost out, may Ben rest in Peace !

Dan Waddell
March 23, 2026
My dear family of so many cousins, I am so very sorry for the loss of dear cousin Ben and my deepest sympathies and condolences. Go to the entire family. I always remember the wonderful times we had together and the laughs because Ben was always such a jokester and had the most delightful personality. There was never a time where I was around him and he didn’t make me smile and cheer me up. Some of my favorite memories are of our family gatherings standing around, sneaking all the good food we enjoyed when MOM and Charlotte would tell us to keep our hands off, but of course we didn’t and then the joyous laughter and screaming and hollering that I would hear and watch as Ben would watch the cubbies play. Man how he loved that baseball team all of Chicago’s teams I know for sure I’m just sorry I didn’t stay in touch over the years, but my heart goes out to you all again and know that he will forever be in my heart and soul. I will miss you, dear cousin Ben in spirit. You will forever be a blessing in my memory🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Love you, HALLY SUE.

Hally Sue Hoffenberg
March 24, 2026
I’m so sorry to hear about Ben. I’ve known him and his family for most of my life, and I’ll always remember the times we spent together going to Cubs games, being at your house for barbecues, and just seeing each other over the years.

He was always so kind and welcoming, and it was clear how much he cared about the people around him. I feel lucky to have known him, even if it was in those smaller moments growing up.

Thinking of you and your family during this time.

Charlie Wilen
March 24, 2026
Ben and I (and Shel) were childhood friends, since around 1964. I moved to San Diego in 1971 and the following year Ben, Shel, and Charlotte came to California to visit the boys’ uncle who lived five minutes away from me. We met and threw a baseball around for the afternoon. In 2006 I took my daughter to Chicago and we visited Ben and met his family. We didn’t keep in good contact throughout the years but I’ve thought often of our friendships with very fond memories. The funeral was very sad for me, but also made me smile as the wonderful life Ben had was described; and the essence of what made him so wonderful, was exactly the way I remembered him as a kid. We laughed a lot, played hockey in the basement, went to Hebrew school together, wrote words to songs like O Mother in Law. It was nice to see he lived his life in a consistent manner, never veering from the person I loved long ago. I send sincere condolences and love to the family, and will always cherish my memories of Ben, Benji, or Beezee as he was often called in our youth.

Jay Levine
March 24, 2026
I met Ben when he joined our Wednesday night bocce league five years ago. Ben's personality and friendly demeanor was a welcome addition and he fit right in with all the guys. He was a good bocce player, but more importantly, he was a sweet guy and a great teammate. We will miss him dearly. My condolences to his family at this very difficult time. Ben will be in our prayers. May he rest in peace.

John Bartelt
March 25, 2026
So sorry for your loss.

Stephen Zwiebel
March 26, 2026