John D. “Jack” Bennett

Funeral services for John D. “Jack” Bennett, 83, Ottawa, will be at 4 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Ottawa. Burial with military honors will be in Highland Cemetery in Ottawa.Mr. Bennett died Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at St. Francis Health Center in Topeka.He was born March 9, 1925, in Ottawa, the son of F. R. Sr. and Jane Davis Bennett. He grew up and attended schools in Ottawa. He graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1943 and attended Kansas University.Mr. Bennett served in the U.S. Marine Corps from Feb. 24, 1943, to March 30, 1946. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II as an automatic rifleman and guard at Parris Island, S.C., Guam, Okinawa, Japan and China. He was wounded in action on June 16, 1945, in Okinawa and received the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged from the 1st Separation Company MCB in San Diego.He spent most of his life working in family-owned businesses, Bennett Ice Co. and Bennett’s Creamery. He later worked for the Dillon Cos. and retired in 1987.Mr. Bennett enjoyed hunting, riding horses, rodeos, traveling, photography and spending time with his grandchildren and attending all of their activities.He married Sally Jane Winterscheidt on April 22, 1947, in Lawrence. They shared more than 39 years of marriage. She died June 24, 1986.Mr. Bennett married Nancy Jane Wiersman on June 10, 1995. They divorced.He also was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, F.R. Jr., and his dog, Doc.Survivors include three sons, Brian D. and wife Stephanie, Overland Park, Dana R. and wife Patti, Pueblo, Colo., and John D. and Ann Page, Laramie, Wyo.; a daughter, Sarah J. Bennett, Fort Collins, Colo.; a brother, Jep, Lawrence; three grandchildren, Bethanie Timmons and Elliott and James Nesch; a great-granddaughter, Sophie Timmons; four nephews, John G., Frank, Davis S. and Michael Bennett; and a niece, Barbara J. Deacon.The family suggests memorials to the Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter or Disabled American Veterans, sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067.