Benjamin J. Tart Sr

Benjamin “Ben” J. Tart Sr., age 81, of Iron River, MI, passed away Monday, April 11, 2016 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born July 1, 1934, the son of the late Stanley and Clara (Tafelski) Tart. He attended the Mellen High School, graduating with the class of 1953. He served in the U.S. Army Veteran stationed in Germany. Ben married the former Shirley Nelson on May 9, 1961 in Ashland, WI. He was Team Captain of his High School Basketball Team and pitched for the Mellen City Hardball Team. He was a logger for 65 years. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and being in the woods with his two sons. He loved animals and enjoyed feeding and watching them. He also loved his music, playing cribbage and solitaire, and was famous for his jokes. Ben is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; son, Ben “Pogo” Tart Jr. of Iron River; daughters, Rebecca Tart of Iron River; Cindy (Rich) Mattson of Iron River; Theresa (Mike) Johnson of Iron River, and Roberta (William) Smet of Pound, WI; sisters, Bernice (Bob) Tart Baker of Charlevoix, MI, and Lorraine (Benny) Tart Brickman of Iron River; 21 grandchildren, Tiffany Burch, Joshua Mattson, Eric Johnson, Jamie Mattson, Erin (Jay) Fredricks, Sheena (Dupy) Elich, Tim Dunkel, Kajlin Burch, Tjad Burch, Kalab Burch, Ebby Johnson, Eliah Johnson, Joey Smet, Brittany Tart, Cory Benjamin, Evan Johnson, Ethan Johnson, Cassie Smet, Robert (Kristin) Mattson, Jeremy (Dana) Mattson, and Crystal Smet; seven great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was also preceded in death by his son Donald; grandson, Michael Johnson Jr.; brothers, George Pietrowski, Walter Pietrowski, Morgan Pietrowski , Sylvester Pietrowski, Alec Pietrowski, and Anthony Tart; sisters Susan Pietrowski McGillan, Gertrude Pietrowski Tracey, Elaine Pietrowski Langlois, Karen Tart Ades, and Judy Tart. Visitation will be held Saturday April 16, 2016 from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. at the Jacobs funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Deacon Robert Kostka to officiate. Pallbearers will be Joshua Mattson, Eric Johnson, Jamie Mattson, Tim Dunkel, Kajlin Burch, and Joey Smet. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Benjamin J. Tart Sr, please visit our flower store.