Floyd Bennett

McClure, Illinois - Floyd Leroy Bennett, age 81, died June 20, 2017, at 9:42am at home. Floyd was born April 21, 1936 at (RFD#4) Brownsville, near Thebes, Illinois. The son of Joseph E. and Audrey K. (Bedwell) Bennett. He was a graduate of the 1954 Class, Tamms High School, following which he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He retired as a highly decorated Senior Master Sergeant, Combat Controller and Command and Control Superintendent. He was awarded the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation; and, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. In addition, he was inducted into “The Order of The Silver Rose” for his service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange. He was a 100% Combat Disabled Veteran. He married Katherine Aiko Suzuki at the American Embassy, Tokyo, Japan on July 9, 1957. She died May 28, 2010 at home in Troy, following a long illness. Floyd was a life member of the NRA; VFW; DAV; Air Force Sergeants Association; Handyman Club of America; and North American Fishing Club. He was also a member of the American Legion, The Retired Enlisted Association, American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Ten-Ten International Radio Club, and Hams for Christ Radio Club. He was a licensed Amateur Radio Operator and held the Advanced License KF9AA. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved working with his hobbies in computers, radio electronics, gardening and woodworking, and caring for his goats, sheep and donkey on his hobby farm. Following retirement from the Air Force in 1975, he enrolled at SIU where he earned BS in Agriculture Education and MS in Agriculture Industries, and 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 was licensed to preach the Gospel in September 1978 and ordained in 1986. He did “fill-in” preaching at various churches in Jackson, Randolph, Union, and Alexander Counties. His pastorates included Fairview Christian Church, Murphysboro; Rock Springs Baptist Church, Carbondale; Liberty Baptist Church, Sparta; and Crain Baptist Church, Ava, where he served twelve years. From about March 1986 to January 1992, he hosted “The Old Country Church” radio program on WINI. Following Kathy’s death in May 2010, Floyd moved to Eden Village Retirement Center. On December 31, 2011 he married Vivian L. (Twente) Eudy at East Cape Baptist Church. He moved to McClure in January 2012 and settled on a hilly 40 acre farm with Vivian and began operation of “Happy Valley Hobby Farm” and continued fill-in preaching. Besides his wife he was preceded in death by; four brothers; two sisters; his parents; son, Jerry Baby Bennett; grand-daughter, Kathrine (Bennett) Brown. He is survived by sons, Rodney (Liza) Bennett of Troy, Kenneth (Angelina) Bennett of Collinsville, Tony (Leah) Bennett of Troy; and daughter, Betty (James) Chou of California; four grandchildren, Jennifer Bennett of California, Christopher Bennett of St. Louis, Madison and Jacob Bennett of Troy; step-grandchild, Erika Stutzman of Troy; great-granddaughter, Kimberly Brown of East Saint Louis; great-grandson, Milo Brown; sister, Wanda McDaniel of Ava; step-sons, Jay and Shaun Eudy of McClure. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 27, 2017 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home in Murphysboro, Illinois. Funeral Services will be Tuesday at 12:00pm at the funeral home with Rev. Danny Miller officiating. Interment to follow at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park with Military Honors.

Floyd Bennett

April 21, 1936 - June 20, 2017