Benjamin James Hummel was born on the glorious day of August 25, 1981. His parents, Alan and Pamela Hummel, excitedly introduced him to his big brother, Joshua Hummel. Ben loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was taken away from us to live with The Lord on December 14, 2014. Ben grew up in small towns in Iowa and Minnesota. At the age of eight he was diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension and lived, briefly, in St. Louis, Missouri awaiting a bilateral lung transplant. A new life was breathed into him at 13 years of age and after that he took full advantage of all life had to offer. He graduated from Kaneland High School in Sugar Grove, Illinois in 2000 and attended Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa. He held many jobs, ranging from car salesman to contract security and from retail to conservator of the peace. Ben loved doing anything outdoor, but especially flying his many aircraft, playing airsoft or paintball, riding his dirt bike and quad through the Arizona desert, relaxing on the beach, all things Scouting, and anything involving his wife and son. Ben met his wife, Bonita Baugher, in Indianola, Iowa in 2000. The two were married in San Angelo, Texas on April 22, 2004. From there they began living the military lifestyleliving together in Texas, Virginia, Arizona and Washington DC. The two welcomed their baby boy, Landon Pilot, on January 26, 2006. At that point, Ben began fulfilling his most prestigious, fulfilling, and rewarding job: Dad. After a few brief health setbacks and a kidney transplant in March 2014, Ben was healthy and happy to be able to do all the things he loved again. He had a magnetic personality and was a funny, kind, caring and loyal individual who could make friends anywhere and keep them for life. Ben, Bonita and Landon weathered many storms together, but always pulled through with faith, hope and happiness for a better future. He is survived by his wife and son of Woodbridge, VA; his mother and father, Alan and Pamela Hummel of Indianola, IA; his brother, Joshua (Arin), nephew Jonah, and niece Clara of Des Moines, IA; grandparents Arnold and Wilma Hummel of Akron, IA and Carol Russell of Le Mars, IA; many aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters/brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his brother Lucas and maternal grandfather Robert Russell. Ben's family would like to thank the family of the young man who found hope in tragedy and provided a new set of lungs to Ben in 1995 and to Shelia Swartwood, who selflessly donated one of her kidneys to him in 2014. Without you all, the world would not have known such a great husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, December 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Dale City, VA. There will be a second celebration of Ben's life on Monday, December 22 from 2 p.m. to5 p.m. at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Indianola, IA. A time of sharing will begin at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help pay for Landon's future college education or in Ben's memory to an organ donation organization of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.overtonfunerals.com.