Benjamin Christian Fankhauser, beloved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend passed away suddenly on December 8, 2014 from complications of a chronic illness. He was born March 21, 1978 to Jerry and Leslie (Eells) Fankhauser. He was a graduate of Glendale High School where he was a pitcher on the varsity baseball team. He graduated from the University of Missouri where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, with a B.S. with honors in biology and had published research. He was a fourth-year student at the UMKC School of dentistry, but was unable to complete that year. Ben had a big smile, a warm personality and was easy to know. He loved scuba diving, golf and pick-up basketball games. He enjoyed running, biking, and intensive physical training. Most of all he loved his family, friends, his cat Jasmine and the Missouri Tigers. Ben is predeceased by his grandparents, Elmer and Harriet Eells, Florence and Robert Fankhauser, and his uncle, Tom Eells. He is survived by his parents, Dr. Jerry and Mrs. Leslie Fankhauser; uncles, John Eells (Julie), Jim Eells (Liz), aunts, Gayle Fankhauser and Cindy Mann; cousins, Kaylea Eells, Mia Eells, Elaine Eells, Ellen Eells and Nick Mann and their children. Ben was looking forward to completing his dental degree and becoming a good general dentist. To honor his love of dentistry, and in lieu of flowers, a contribution to The Tooth Truck (Ronald McDonald House Charities, 949 E. Primrose, Springfield, Mo. 65807) would be greatly appreciated. Visitation will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, December 19, 2014 with service to follow at 2:00 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. Sue Baggett- Spears.