Please accept our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you alll.

Eddie & Pat Zihlman

Austin, TX

Janell,

I am so sorry for your loss. Your parents were (are still) great people and raised great children. I hope you can find some comfort in your memories. Hugs!

My deepest sympathy for your loss. Ben and Carol always welcomed me in their home with a smile. There was always a seat at the dinner table and a story to tell. They were such wonderful people taking an interest in others and giving to the community. Together to the end may they rest in peace.

SO the good Lord has called both Ben & Carol at the same time. HE certainly knew a 'team' when he saw one. Together they were strong, .. apart,,, not a chance... NOW they are together forever as they would so desire.

Friends for so many years here in good ol' Coralville. They seemed to come to town quietly, raise a family, run several businesses, participate in community events along way, then slip back out of town in the grace of God.

BEN had the greatest laugh, Carol had the best smile! I have long considered Ben to be one of the strongest men on earth. He took care of Carol thru thick and thin, and he never said a word of 'woe is me'..

I'll miss 'the Ploofs' as friends, as members of Coralville community, and as people who I really liked!

Fear not for them, as they are together.

My condolences to all of the Family.

Rex Brandstatter

To the Ploof family,

You are in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest sympathies go out to all of you. What a love story.

Much love,

Julie and Todd

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO ALL OF THE PLOOF FAMILY. BEN AND CAROL WILL BE MISSED BY MANY. THE DAVIS FAMILY; JIM, INGE, & JAMIE

Dave, Chris, Amanda and Dalton: Sad to hear about your parents/in-laws and grandparents. I only knew them through you guys and a few visits to your house or theirs. Enjoyed popping in and letting them know I was parking in their driveway on the 4th of July. Ben was such a kidder and had great stories. How wonderful to hear about the years they were together. Thanks Chris and Dave for sharing some of your memories with Rob, I and the kids when we lived next to you. Always great to hear about your family and visit the Portrait Shop. We will all have to continue to talk about the memories. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Although I didn't know Mr. and Mrs. Ploof, what an amazing love story till the very end. My heart goes out to all of you who are missing them, and we send our condolences to you all. May you find peace in the joyful memories that you all shared.

Janell

Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. So very sorry for your double loss.

KaLynn

It has been year's since we were together,but what a wonderful couple!The example they shared in there LOVE for one another as well as the LOVE they had for the LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, with no doubt touched many!

Please except our condolences.

They were wonderful people! Always had a good word and smile for everyone! We will always remember when Ben played Santa Clause for our kids in the late 70's! Rest in peace!

IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING HOW THESE TWO WONDERFUL PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO STAY TOGETHER. This is truelly an ever lasting love! Knowing them thru the years, you always saw that between them. Hearing the story how they met was priceless. RIP Ben & Carol. You will be missed.

I am sorry to hear of your loss I give you my condolences and my heart feels for your loss

Dear Ploof Family, My condolences. So fortunate to meet your parents. They were two peas in a pod for sure. They both had such keen interests in people and the world. Never a dull conversation with them. This is rough for you but it seems like the the right ending for their time on earth. They will live on in your hearts and minds forever. Mary C. McCarthy

Janell, Family and Friends, you are in my Heart, my Thoughts, and my Prayers.

I just wanted to let you know how sorry I was to hear about your parents. They lived and they were loved. My prayers are with you and the girls at this time.

Ploof family,

I'm so sorry for your loss. I first met Ben and Carol years ago in a community group and it was easy to see their love for each other. As a fellow Coralville resident I drive past the house everyday. Over the years I enjoyed seeing the new stickers on the RV documenting the road trips. I remember the excitement of their trip to China and all that entailed. They will be missed by many. I will keep all of you in my prayers.

You are my sunshine

Now this is complete togetherness How very sweet I know how devoted they were to each other and basically I am an outsider

My condolences

My deepest condolences to the Proof family. I always enjoyed stopping at the house and looking at all of the stickers of the places the motor hime had traveled. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this very sad time in your lives.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Mr. Proof was my driver's education instructor many, many years ago. He was always so patient and kind -- not sure how he managed to stay calm while teaching teenagers to drive, but he sure did! May he and his bride rest in peace together.

Ben and Carol were so in love here on Earth it is only fitting for Carol to pass the next day so she can be with him in heaven.

Growing up down the street it was alway fun to trick or treat at their house they gave the best candy.

I have always loved our wedding photos that they took in 1988 and they are more memorable now.

When I went to work shortly after that at the studio the entire Ploof famiy became even closer.

Than when I went out on my own to take photos their advice was alway welcomed.

You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Deepest condolences to the family. You're in my thoughts.

Cheryl and family:

I am heartbroken too hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your parents must have had a love that could not part them. Please let me know if you need anything.

XOXO

Angie

Dear Cheryl and family, We are so sorry for the loss of your parents, but after seeing them together at the baby shower, it seems fitting that they left this world so close together in time. Our sympathy...

Ben Ploof was one of the best men I've ever met. He was never afraid to help or teach. Although compare to the many people he knew, I did not know him long, he never failed to tell me more about himself I never know each time we spoke. I truly consider the time that I spent with Ben as one of the best times I had, there were fun times and serious times, and in each he made me a better person. Ben had given so much to everyone he met that I don't think there is any way to fully repay him for what he's done for all of us, I just think that the best start is to continue and expand on what he taught and helped us with. I think that the only thing Ben would ask, is that we be the best person we can be, and don't pass up opportunities to help and teach people. Everyone is a link in a chain, Ben linked with many others, but everything came back to one person, a Fun, Happy, and Strong man that did all he could to make our lives better.

Ban never failed to brighten up a room, let us amplify that light into every room we step in.

My condolences,

Laurens van Beek

To the Ploof family I want to say thank you for allowing my wife and I to become just like family. It really means the world to my wife and I. I also thank Ben for being a my Mentor in masonry where I am the first African American to become a member of the lodge and with Bens help wisdom and knowledge I am where I am today in masonry. There will never be another Ben Ploof and he will live in our hearts for eternity especially the ones he touched. Ploof family from my family to yours we love you and yours. Thank you.

Talking about Ben and Carol only calls the most warm feelings. The love between the two have been overwhelmingly present. Carol, although mostly immobile was a sharp as they get. When I would talk with Ben, she was always happy to give us some feedback with the use of the minimal amount of words having the biggest available effect on both of us. Ben was a true Mason, mentor and the best friend a man could have. No person has ever said anything negative about him and I can only say that I lost a friend that could reach deep in my heart.

Carol and Ben, I will miss you both, but the image of you being together is something that puts a smile on my face forever!

My condolences to the family who will miss pure love.

.: Harold

I have been praying for the Ploof family. The end is never known and so hard on the family. My condolences to the two children espicially that I know personally. Others as well of course. I am Claytons Mother and he has kept me posted thru Dave. May his soul rest in peace.