Donald Charles Bennett

Donald Charles Bennett, 93, formerly of Beallsville, Ohio died Sunday, November 3, 2013 in Ceres, California where he lived with his son and daughter-in-law; he died peacefully in his sleep while under the care of hospice. He was born March 31, 1920 in Burton, Ohio, a son of the late Benjamin and Grace Fiedler Bennett. As a young boy he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and living on the family farm. Don graduated from Akron's East High School in January, 1939 where he took mechanical drawing in addition to the traditional program. Later in life his ability to work with blueprints and drawings would serve him well in various roles working with the Goodyear Aerospace Airship program. Don served as a metal smith in the Navy during WWII. In 1942 he married Ruth Betz and they settled in the Akron area. He resumed his career at Goodyear, working on airship projects; he retired in 1977 after more than 30 years of service. After retiring, Don and Ruth moved to a farm in Southern Ohio where he raised beef cattle. In 1979 after Ruth's passing, Don dove head first into church activities; it was there that he met Jean Rogalski and the two were married in December, 1981. Don was a strong Christian man, teaching Sunday school, Bible Study and delivering an occasional message from the pulpit at churches in both Ohio and Florida. After Jean's death in 2009, Don moved to California to live with his son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Susan Bennett. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by two brothers, Lyle and Robert Bennett, also a grandson, Michael Bennett. Along with his son and daughter-in-law, Don is survived by his grandson, David Bennett; a brother, Larry Bennett, and a sister, Geraldine Diya. Also surviving are Jean's children; Charles (Maxine) Rogalski, Stephen (Eva) Rogalski, Donna (Gene) Kanzigg; four grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Visitation will be held Friday from 11 AM until the time of the funeral service at 1 PM at the Harper Funeral Home, Beallsville with Pastor Jean Cooper officiating. Committal services will be conducted Saturday, November 9 at 10:30 AM at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 2580 Romig Road, Akron, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don's name to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, California 95356.

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