Benny E. Bennett

Benny Edward Bennett, age 77, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away at his home near Ottawa, on Monday, September 23, 2019.

Ben was born on Tuesday, November 25, 1941, at Carter’s Hospital in Garnett (Anderson County), Kansas, the oldest of five children born to Ellsworth Harold Bennett and Emma Lucille (McLees) Bennett. He was raised on the family farm west of Richmond and graduated from Richmond High School with the Class of 1960. After high school, Ben joined the U.S. Army Reserves. He married Delores Wogan and to this union one son, Jerry Layton Bennett, was born. This marriage was later dissolved. While living in Garnett, he worked for Brummel Hatchery, the Garnett Cheese Plant and Garnett Ready Mix.

On April 26, 1968, Ben was united in marriage to Marilyn Nilges. This union was blessed with two daughters, Jacqueline Jolene and Jennifer Lynn Bennett. They made their home in Franklin County, Kansas, and celebrated 51 years of marriage on April 26, 2019. Ben worked for Bendix Mobile Homes, Jim and Junior Wall Farms, Princeton, Kansas and Wingert Polled Hereford Farms, Ottawa. While working on these ranches and taking care of livestock, Ben acquired the nickname “Doc”. In 1984, he began working for the City of Ottawa as a Heavy Equipment Operator for the Street Department. In 2004, Ben retired from the City of Ottawa after 18 years of service and continued with seasonal mowing for Franklin County during his retirement.

Ben served on the Franklin County Fair Board for several years. He enjoyed working with the 4-H kids as Poultry Leader, and until 2016, he continued to help with the 4-H Market Sale well into retirement. For many years he judged poultry and rabbits at surrounding area County Fairs (Franklin, Anderson, Douglas and Johnson Counties). In earlier years, he was a volunteer firefighter for Lincoln Township.

Ben was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting and trapping. He enjoyed raising cattle and various breeds of dogs and poultry; and always had a love for horses, mules and pulling ponies throughout the years. In retirement, he enjoyed participating in the Power of the Past and drinking coffee with his buddies at the Princeton Coffee Shop. He especially enjoyed time spent with his family, and his grandchildren, Quinn Edward and Avery Lynn Kellerman, who were his pride and joy.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of the home; two daughters, Jackie Bennett, Jennifer Kellerman and husband, Daren of Ottawa; son, Jerry Bennett and wife, Pat of Jupiter, Florida; two grandchildren, Avery Lynn and Quinn Edward Kellerman of Ottawa; three brothers and one sister, Jim Bennett and wife, Mary of Princeton, Bob Bennett and wife, Charlene of Garnett, Margie Cassity and husband, Robert of Hoisington, Kansas, George Bennett and wife, Marilyn of Garnett; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Ell and Lucille Bennett.

Ben was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and friend who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Ben’s family will greet friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Franklin County 4-H Development Fund or to the Richmond Community Museum and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .