Ben Thorpe: Oct. 16, 1961 - Nov. 6, 2011

Ben Thorpe, 50, died Sunday at his home. A native of Hazard, he was born Oct. 16, 1961, to Sam Thorpe and the late Patricia Ann Mercer Thorpe. He was a former employee of McKechnie. Survivors include his father; daughters Samantha Gross, and Sarah Lay and husband Joshua; a special nephew that he raised as a son, Steven Tyler Locker; stepchildren Amy Callaway and Chassity Locker; sisters Carolyn Whitehead, Debbie Hall and Phyllis Redmond; three grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister. Graveside service will be Thursday at noon at Maple Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home at 11:30 until time for service at Maple Grove. www.hagerandcundifffunerals.com.