Gene Bennett

Gene R. Bennett, age 92, of Savanna, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, January 23 at the Good Samaritan Society in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna. Burial will take place in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Savanna, with military rites accorded by the Savanna VFW Post #2223. Visitation will take place from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Antl Hall in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Savanna, Illinois. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the family in Gene’s memory.

Gene was born October 3, 1925, in Orangeville, Illinois, the son of Frederick Hewitt and Edna (Clarno) Bennett. He attended Freeport High School in Freeport, Illinois and graduated with the Class of 1943. Following high school, Gene served his country from 1944 – 1946 in the United States Army rising to the rank of Sergeant. Gene was assigned to the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th division, anti-tank company, Tropic Lightning as a Browning Automatic Rifleman. Gene was awarded the Bronze Star for gallantry for serving 165 consecutive days in combat service. He was also awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater ribbon with 2 bronze battle stars, the Philippine Liberation ribbon with one bronze battle star, the Army of Occupation Medal Japan, and three Overseas Service Bars. Gene married the love of his life Rosemary Haller on January 31, 1948 in Freeport. Rosemary passed away November 25, 2009. They celebrated 62 years of marriage. Gene attended Mortuary School in Cincinnati, Ohio and worked as a traveling casket salesman. He also worked for Fuller Funeral Home in Savanna and later Law-Jones Funeral Home. Gene owned and operated the Montgomery Ward Store for many years in Savanna. Gene worked for the Milwaukee Railroad and retired from the railroad as a Switchman.

Gene was a member of the Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus, Savanna VFW Post #2223, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, past member of Zoning and Planning Commission, Board of Directors at the Black Hawk Area Credit Union. Gene believed in living every day to the fullest. In Gene’s younger years he enjoyed golfing, boating, ice skating, wood working. He also loved photography and took many pictures of Savanna. Gene was always tinkering, building or repairing things. Gene also believed charity began at home. If he saw a need, Gene filled it. He will be remembered by many for his loving and unsolicited acts of service.

Gene is survived by his daughter, Julia Maples of Omaha, Nebraska; two daughters in-law, Carol Bennett of Omaha, Linda Bennett of Omaha; five grandchildren, Rob (Wendy) Bennett, Beth (Chris Rock) Bennett, Scott (Sarah) Craven, Matt Maples, Jacob Maples; two great-grandsons, Kole Maples, William Craven; brother, Charles Bennett of Kenosha, Wisconsin; brother in-law, Robert (Jeanne) Haller of Arlington Heights, Illinois; sister in-law, Lucille Haller-McKinstra of Freeport. Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary; two sons, Mark and Stephen and an infant daughter, Maureen.