July
3, 1917 - Nov. 23, 2008SOUTH BEND - Jack B. Bennett Sr., 91, of South Bend, IN, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2008, at 11:15 PM at the Sanctuary of St. Paul's, South Bend. He had retired in 1979 after 44 years as owner and operator of Home Heating Company. Mr. Bennett was born on July 3, 1917, in South Bend, IN, to Howard J. and Rosalie (Rohr) Bennett, and was a lifelong resident. On May 13, 1939, in South Bend, IN, he married Virginia R. (Hardy) Bennett, who preceded him in death on May 30, 1982. Then on June 28, 1986, in South Bend, IN, he married Victoria (Musson) Bennett, who survives. Along with his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Sharon K. (Larry) Roesch of Homestead, FL; two sons, Jack Bennett Jr. of La Porte, IN, and Michael (Sue) Bennett of Mishawaka; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. His daughter-in-law, Mary Bennett, son-in-law, George Osmanski, and brother, William Bennett, preceded him in death. Mr. Bennett was five-years-old when St. Matthew's Cathedral was built in 1922 and was a life member. He was a monogram member for football and track at Riley High School. Jack was a World War II Army veteran. He was a life member of Knights of Columbus #553, a past commander of the American Legion Post #303, where he was also an active member of the post's Military Funeral Association, and military marching and rifle group. He was a member of the Notre Dame Subway Alumni and a life member of the Notre Dame Football Ushers Association. Jack was past commander of both the South Bend Power & Sailboat Association and the Baugo Creek Yacht Club. He was a member and officer of St. Joe Valley's Heating & Air Conditioning Association. Jack liked to travel, fish, boat, golf and garden. In the Spring 1989, he took a 100-day cruise around the world on the S.S. Universe sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh. He took the same cruise again in 1992. He had traveled to the Arctic Ocean and Antarctic Ocean. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4508 Vistula Road, Mishawaka, IN. Rev. Daniel Scheidt will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN. The family will receive friends from 4:00-8:00 PM today in Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, and in the church one hour prior to services on Wednesday. Contributions in memory of Jack B. Bennett Sr. may be made to St. Matthew's Cathedral, 1701 Miami, South Bend, IN 46613.