McLure

W. Benjamin McLure, 84, of Hummelstown, Pa., passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at his home with his daughter by his side.

Born in New Kensington, Pa., he was the son of the late Wesley Drue and Melda Claire Reiter McLure.

Ben retired in 1983 from Lower Dauphin High School, after 21 years of service where he was a social studies teacher and driving instructor affectionately known as “The Dean of Gasoline.” He also served as head baseball coach for 13 years, taking the Lower Dauphin Falcons to seven league championships. Ben was a 1957 graduate of Butler High School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education in 1962 from Penn State University, where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.

From 1972 to 2015 he served as a baseball scout, beginning his career part time with the Montreal Expos and St. Louis Cardinals, then full time as an area scout for the Toronto Blue Jays, until becoming a professional scout for the San Diego Padres, Kansas City Royals and the Milwaukee Brewers. He was most proud to have received a World Championship ring from the St. Louis Cardinals, and two World Championship rings from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Well-respected for his dedicated service, Ben was the recipient of many awards including the High School Coach of the Year from the Harrisburg Old Timers Association, the Jack Sutch Memorial Award from the Central Penn Umpires Association for his contributions to amateur baseball, and the MASA Career Achievement Award. He was named Scout of the Year by the Middle Atlantic Baseball Scouts Association as well as the San Diego Padres. A man who was highly revered, Ben was also honored by being elected to the Pennsylvania American Legion Sports Hall of Fame, Butler County Sports Hall of Fame, Middle Atlantic Baseball Scouts Association Hall of Fame, and the West Shore Chapter, Central Chapter of Lebanon County, and the Capital Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Halls of Fame.

Ben was a member of the Hershey Country Club and the Soda Jerk Breakfast Club. He enjoyed traveling, golfing, doing needlepoint and reading.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Rhine McLure, on Feb. 11, 2023.

Ben is survived by two children, Jill F. McLure and Michael D. McLure, husband of Lori Etchberger, both of Hummelstown; one stepson, Wade K. Ewing, husband of Christine, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three grandchildren, Cuinn J. O'Donnell of State College, Fiona A. Ewing of Colorado Springs, and Amanda J. Etchberger, wife of Alex Feige, of Springfield, Va.; one great-grandson, Oliver A. Feige of Springfield; and his beloved cat, Buford II.

MCLURE — A memorial service for W. Benjamin McLure, who died Tuesday, April 2, 2024, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024, at TREFZ & BOWSER FUNERAL HOME, 114 West Main St., Hummelstown, with Pastor Tom Graham officiating.

Visitation will be in the funeral home from 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of the service.

Inurnment will be in Green Wood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lower Dauphin Falcon Foundation, 291 E. Main St., Hummelstown, PA 17036.

A livestream of Ben's service on can be viewed by going to www.trefzandbowser.com and clicking on the green livestream button.

Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.