Bennett C. "Ben" Livingston, 81, of Granite City, died at 1:10 a.m. Firday, Dec. 19, 2003, at the Colonnades Nursing home in Granite City. He was born June 5, 1922, in Iberia, Mo. Mr. Livingston was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Granite City where he was also a deacon and elder, was active in the choir and past superintendent of the Sunday school; was owner of Livingston Oil Company in Granite City from 1963 to 1984; previously employed by Laidlaw as a bus driver from 1986 to 1988; was a member of VFW Post #1300 in Granite City; Ainad Shrine Temple, where he was past president and a member of the Oriental Band; and of the Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Southern Illinois; and a U.S. Army World War II veteran where he received the Purple Heart, a Good Conduct medal and a Meritourious Service Unit Plaque with a Gold Star. He married the former Jeannette I. Stiers on Oct. 11, 1947, at the First Presbyterian Church in Granite City. She survives in Granite City after 56 years of marriage. Other survivors include one daughter, Mary Livingston of Burleson, Texas; three sons, Terry (Diana) Livingston, Eugene Livingston and Dale Livingston, all of Granite City; two brothers, Roger Livingston of Beatrice, Neb., and Monte (Louise) Livingston of Richmond, Mo.; and one grandson, David Livingston of Puyallup, Wash. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Vemetta (McGriff) Livingston; and one brother, Tennyson Livingston; and one sister, Marge Malcolm. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite city. Masonic services will be Monday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be at 11:30 am Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Lewis Trotter officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Memroial Estates in Edwardsville.