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Floyd L. Bennett Murphysboro, IL QCWA # 26755 Chapter 179 10-10 # 53521 |
Floyd Leroy Bennett, 81, died at 9:42 am Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at home.
Floyd was born April 21, 1936 at (RFD#4) Brownsville, near Thebes, Illinois, the son of Joseph E. and Audrey K., nee Bedwell, Bennett.
He was a graduate of the 1954 Class of Tamms High School, following which he enlisted in the US Air Force. He retired as a highly decorated Senior Master Sergeant, Combat Controller and Command and Control Superintendent.
He married Katherine Aiko Suzuki on July 9, 1957, and she died on May 28, 2010.
Floyd was a life member of the NRA, VFW, DAV, Air Force Sergeants Association, Handyman Club of America, North American Fishing Club, American Legion, The Retired Enlisted Association, American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Ten-Ten International Radio Club, and Hams for Christ Radio Club.
Following retirement from the Air Force in 1975, he enrolled at SIU where he earned a BS in Agriculture Education and an MS in Agriculture Industries, and an MS in Education. He served as an instructor at the College of Agriculture, SIU; Vocational Agriculture Teacher at Tamaroa High School and Egyptian High School; and as an Adult Basic Education (ABE) and GED Teacher at Menard Correctional Center. Attending classes during nights, weekends, summer breaks, and via internet, he received a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Bethany Theological Seminary in 1981.
He had pastored at Fairview, Rock Springs, Liberty, and Crain churches. He also hosted "The Old Country Church" radio program on WINI.
On December 31, 2011 he married Vivian L., nee Twente, Eudy. He moved to McClure in January 2012 and settled on a hilly 40 acre farm with Vivian and began operation "Happy Valley Hobby Farm."
Besides his wife he was preceded in death by four brothers; two sisters; his parents; son, Jerry Baby Bennett; and granddaughter, Kathrine (Bennett) Brown.
He is survived by sons, Rodney (Liza) Bennett, Tony (Leah) Bennett both of Troy, Ill., Kenneth (Angelina) Bennett of Collinsville, Ill.; and daughter, Betty (James) Chou of California; four grandchildren, Jennifer Bennett of California, Christopher Bennett of St. Louis, Mo., and Madison and Jacob Bennett of Troy, Ill.; step-grandchild, Erika Stutzman of Troy, Ill.; great-granddaughter, Kimberly Brown of East Saint Louis, Ill.; great-grandson, Milo Brown; sister, Wanda McDaniel of Ava, Ill.; step-sons, Jay and Shaun Eudy of McClure.
To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family visit www.crainsonline.com.
Visitation: Visitation will be from 10 am to noon Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home in Murphysboro, Illinois.
Funeral: Funeral services will follow at noon on Tuesday at the funeral home with Rev. Danny Miller officiating. Interment to follow at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park with Military Honors.
CRAIN FUNERAL HOME, Anna, IL
Published in Belleville News-Democrat on June 23, 2017