Benjamin Korn, a resident of Novi, Michigan, died on October 24th, 2024 at the age of 99. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel.
Religious services will be held Sunday and Monday evenings at 7:00PM.
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If anyone knew Ben Korn you would know the answer to this question, "What do you call 12 rabbits in a row walking backwards?...a receding hairline." He taught us all that a good joke is great, a bad joke is even better. Ben was born just shy of 100 years ago on November 17, 1924 in Detroit, MI. His parents were Philip and Sophie Korn, sister Rose and brother Harry, all of blessed memory.
He grew up near Eastern Market and loved visiting there throughout the years while scanning the crowd and approaching his next victim to perform a coin trick. In 1943, during WWII, he joined the Army at age 19 and was in active duty for over 2 years. One of his favorite stories was riding in an elevator with General MacArthur. He was present during D-Day and VJ Day. He met many people from Europe and the Pacific and kept in touch throughout the years. Anyone he met was a friend for life. When he returned from the war a family friend stopped by to introduce his fiance', Janet. Ben came to the top of the stairs in his boxer shorts and hat to greet them. Janet went home that day and told her mom she met the man she was going to marry. They got married soon after and bought their first home in Oak Park. They built a beautiful life together with 4 children: Elaine, Marlene, Robert and Howard, and recently celebrated their 70th anniversary.
During this year's Michigan/MSU football game he was to be honored as the Hero of the Game. But the reality is he has always been our hero. He was sweet and gentle and kind. He treated everyone with respect and always viewed the world with a sense of gratefulness. When driving with him he would look around and comment how beautiful Michigan was. He appreciated nature and regularly took the family fishing into White River, Canada to enjoy a simpler way of life. He would comment that he felt so lucky that all of his kids got along and that they married wonderful, caring people, saying all in all he did pretty good with his life. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave him so much nachas.
We, his entire family, feel so blessed to have had this exceptional man in our lives and he will be missed beyond words. We loved him dearly. May his memory be for a blessing.
Ben is survived by his wife Janet; children Elaine and Victor Levin, Marlene and David Wolf, Robert, and Howard and Susan Korn; grandchildren Daniel and Mackenzie Levin, Adam Wolf, Jamie and Jordan Cutler, Erin and Kyle Warren, Jennifer and Chris Gradone, Tracy and Sam Mallory, and Julia Korn; great-grandchildren Travis, Megan, Hazel, Nora, Ari, Maddie, Liv, and Owen; sisters- and brothers-in-law Rita and Bernie Castleman, and the late Marilyn and Marty Glovinsky; many nieces, nephews and cousins; special friend Irv Friedman; and compassionate angels Amanda and DeAngelo Damphie.
View the broadcast of the service:30440 W. 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: 248.406.6000 toll free: 866.406.6003 fax: 248.406.6005
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Licensed funeral directors: Alan Dorfman, Jonathan Dorfman