Benjamin (Ben) Michael Bokus, 19 of Mendota passed away on March 10, 2019 at OSF St. Paul Medical Center, Mendota due to complications from leukemia treatment.

Mass of Christian burial will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church Church,  Mendota with Father Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at Holy Cross Church. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting with the arrangements.

Ben was born on September 17, 1999 at IVCH in Peru to Michael and Kaela (Navarro) Bokus. He graduated from Mendota High School in 2018 and was attending Illinois Valley Community College.

Ben loved to compete. He loved to play many different sports although his first love was baseball. In Junior High he was the state champion in the 400M dash. In high school he was a three sport athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball.   He received All Conference and All Area recognition in all three sports. During his senior year he was a co-captain in all three sports.

Ben also excelled academically. He was an Illinois State Scholar, and twice an All-Big Northern Conference student athlete.   He was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. He tutored children at the local elementary schools during his Junior and Senior years of high school. He also spent time umpiring little league games and giving pitching and hitting lessons to area children. Ben was a very kind and loving person. He received several "pulley" awards in high school for helping to prevent bullying. He always helped those in need and was well liked and respected by his peers.

Ben was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in June, 2018. He was being treated by St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN and the affiliate hospital in Peoria. Ben reacted to leukemia like everything else in his life.   He was very brave and fought it with everything he had.

Ben touched many lives during his brief time on earth. He will be sorely missed by his many friends and family members who love him dearly.

He is survived by his parents of Mendota, his sisters Anna Bokus and Lily Bokus both of Mendota, and his paternal grandparents Michael and Barbara Bokus of Mendota, maternal grandmother Wendy (Rick) Smith of Ottawa, two great-grandmothers, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Terry Navarro.

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the family for a memorial to be established.