Benjamin 'Ben' J. Black, 20

Benjamin “Ben” Jack Black, 20, of Smelterville, Idaho, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Smelterville on Nov. 25, 2022. Ben was born on May 31, 2002, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the son of Daniel Sonsteng and Angela Black Sonsteng.

Ben attended local schools and Kellogg High School. He worked as a slitter operator at Bandz, Inc. in Smelterville. He also did electrical and auto mechanic work on the side as well.

He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved camping. During hunting season, he enjoyed preparing and smoking wild game. Ben also was good at car audio systems and installation. Most of all, he loved his family and his two children were his whole life; his son, Ashton and daughter Nylah Rose. Ben treated all of his friends as family and will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Ben is preceded in death by a sister, Rose June Black and paternal grandfather Gerald Sonsteng.

He is survived by his two children, Ashton Eugene Black of Kellogg, Idaho, and Nylah Rose Black of Seattle, Wash.; his parents, Daniel and Angela Sonsteng of Pinehurst, Idaho; a brother, Allen Dale Sonsteng of Pinehurst; maternal grandparents Dan and Ruby Black of Smelterville; paternal grandparents Richard and Sharon White of Pinehurst; two uncles, Raymond Allen Black and Daniel Robert Black, both of Kellogg; his best friend, Benjamin Beck of Kellogg; as well as many other family members.

A celebration of Ben’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at Shoshone Funeral Services in Kellogg. In keeping with Ben’s love of hunting, his family has requested that all those attending his service wear something camouflage. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Kellogg.

Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Black family with arrangements. Memories of Ben and messages of condolence may be expressed to his family online at www.shoshonefuneralservices.com.