Charles E Bennett

Happy-go-lucky, caring, and having a positive attitude about life are just a few ways to describe Charles Bennett. A few pieces of history that occurred in 1924 include the IBM Corporation being founded, the Wrigley Building was completed in Chicago, IL, U.S. Army planes made their first trip around the world, and on March 13, 1924 Justice P. and Suzanna L. (Bates) Bennett welcomed Charles Edward Bennett into the world in Collins, IN.

He was one of six children in his family that included Garland, Lavonna, Rosealie, Jim, and Phyllis Joann, of which, their mother passed away during childbirth. Afterward the girls all went to their grandma Bates' to stay, Phyllis Joann went to the Becks, and the boys went to grandma & grandpa Bennett's.
As a young man Charles worked in the onion and mint fields in Collins long enough to buy the family beans for the winter, and at 14 years old with the money he had worked for and saved bought his dad a car. After high school, Charles joined the Merchant Marine in the Navy and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge on January 14th 1946.

Charles met his first wife Dorothy Rock through mutual friends and to the union six children were born. She preceded after a brief illness in 1961. Later in 1962, Charles met his second wife Vesta (Day) Trout at a barber shop in Columbia City and gained her two children as his own and they welcome one into the world. She preceded him in 2016 after 54 years of marriage.

Charles worked at the Dana Corporation, Fort Wayne until his retirement in 1982.

Special events that were held close to Charles include all of the weddings of his children and some of his grandchildren, a cruise to Alaska, taking trips out west and driving straight through, and his Washington D.C. trip to see the World War II Memorial, meeting two guys from his ship , and also meeting Bob Dole at the memorial as well.

Charles was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church and St. Vincent De Paul Society, an avid fisherman, and a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan. He also enjoyed going to the American Legion and Moose Lodge frequently, playing cards with his neighbors monthly, where he always had a ball, the boat club, and listening to any type of music.

Charles Edward Bennett, age 94, of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away at 5:15 pm on Friday June 29, 2018 at Ashton Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center, Fort Wayne.

Survivors include his children Cheryl (Craig) Dawson of Harlan, Charleen (Dennis) Bechtold of Columbia City, Dennis (Joy) Bennett of Columbia City, Suzanna Johnson of Fort Wayne, Lezeth Arick of Columbia City, Victoria Bennett of Fort Wayne, Phillip (Laura) Trout of Fort Wayne, Sherry (Ronald) Dowell of Brazil, IN, ; daughter-in-law AnnMarie Bennett of Norwich, CT; 24 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sisters Phyllis Beck of Garrett; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Justice P. and Suzanna L. (Bates) Bennett, first wife Dorothy (Rock) Bennett, second wife of 54 years Vesta Bennett, son James Bennett, grandsons Jeremy Trout and Troy Bennett, sisters Lavona Shelly and Rosie Steller, brothers Garland Bennett and James Bennett.
Friends may call on Thursday July 5, 2018 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, with a Rosary at 3:45 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Friday July 6, 2018 at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 South Line Street, Columbia City, with calling one hour prior to mass. Burial will follow in St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Cemetery (Greenhill), Columbia City. Memorial contributions in memory of Charles may be made to Masses at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church or Ronald McDonald House.
Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to sign the online guest register or to send a condolence.