Benton L. “Benny” Bowles, Jr., 86, formerly of Peru, IN, passed away at 8:10 P.M., Sunday, February 18, 2018 at the Canterbury Health and Rehab, Ft. Wayne, IN. He was born in Peru, IN on November 13, 1931 the son of Eva Marie (Bowman) and Benton L. Bowles, Sr. Ben married Peggy Starkey at Presbyterian Church in Burrows, IN on May 19, 1955. After graduation from Peru High School in 1949, Ben attended Ball State University earning his BA in education in 1956 and his Master’s in 1958. During his college years, Ben served 3 years in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. Besides teaching, Ben’s life-long love was coaching basketball. He began as head coach at Clay Township and won the 1962 Sectional Championship. Ben went on to be varsity basketball and baseball head coach at Maconaquah High School until 1973 when he became Assistant Principal. In 1986, he reunited with Basil Mawbey as an assistant coach for Kokomo High School and then Lewis Cass. In 2003, the coaching duo lead Lewis Cass High School to the Indiana State Championship and an undefeated 26-0 season. Ben was beloved by his players because he not only made them better players, but also helped develop them into better men. Surviving Ben are his wife, Peggy, of 62 years, his daughters, Elizabeth Doelling and her husband Robert of Fort Wayne, IN and Catherine Petty of Kokomo, IN; grandchildren Caroline Doelling, Evan Doelling and Zachary Petty. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Christian Church, 53 West Main Street, Peru, where Ben served most of his life as a deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Benton L. Bowles, Jr. will be held at 11:30 A.m., Monday, February 26, 2018 at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 West Main St., Peru. Family and friends will gather from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at the funeral home.