Obituaries
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tree
planted in memory of John M. "Jack" Bennett
Obituary for John M. "Jack" Bennett
JOHN “JACK” M. BENNETT, SR., 88, of Fulton, IL, died Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, July 12, 2024, at the Fulton Chapel of Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Albany, IL, with Rev. Father John Stack officiating. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass. Interment will follow at the family plot in Calvary Hill Cemetery in Fulton, IL. A memorial has been established.
Jack was born January 17, 1936, to Marvin and Nellie (Stuit) Bennett in Clinton, IA. He was educated in the Fulton grade schools and graduated from Fulton High School in 1954. He furthered his education at St. Ambrose College in pre-engineering from 1954-55. In the fall of 1955, Jack began his career as a Laboratory Technician at General Electric in Morrison, IL. He graduated from the three-year Engineering Fundamentals Program through Bradley University in 1969 and also completed the Dale Carnegie Course on "Effective Speaking" at GE. Promoted to Engineering Technician in 1963, Jack contributed significantly to the design and development of switches and thermostats, earning a patent for a switch manufactured in Italy for small refrigerators. He retired as a design engineer in February 1996, but continued consulting for three more years on various GE projects. Jack met the love of his life, Lorraine Margaret Charneski, after Mass in 1955. They married on October 19, 1957, at Immaculate Conception Church in Fulton. Lorraine passed away on November 15, 2017. A devoted member of his community, Jack was a charter member of the Fulton/Albany Knights of Columbus in 1988, serving as Grand Knight for five years and receiving multiple awards. He was also a 4th Degree Member of the Fr. William Boland ASM 1702 and served as Recorder for five years. Jack contributed to his parish, helping build the Parish Hall at Immaculate Conception Church in 1967 and teaching high school religious education classes with Lorraine at their home. Jack was instrumental in the Fulton Recreation Corporation, serving as its first president in 1977. He oversaw programs, procured uniforms and equipment, and coached his sons' teams. Jack and Lorraine built a new home in the country, completing it in April 1993 with the help of family and friends. After moving, Jack became a member of the Parish Council at St. Patrick's Church in Albany, contributing to various improvement projects. In June 1999, he assisted his son Dan in designing and building Midwest Collision in Fulton, which was completed in July 2000. Jack was passionate about genealogy, extensively researching the Bennett/ Stuit family history. He knew 14 of the 19 children of his grandparents, Thomas and Mary Bennett, and documented their descendants. Jack was well known, and will forever be remembered as a caring and generous man by many, from helping to build homes for friends to supporting his family in their various events and activities.
Survivors include one daughter, Barbara (Jim) Hlubek of Fulton, IL; three sons, John M. Bennett Jr. of Sterling, IL, David (Jeanette) Bennett of Morrison, IL and Daniel (Kimberly) Bennett of Fulton, IL; six grandchildren, Michael (Megan) Housenga, Russell Housenga, Derek (Jessica) Housenga, Darcy (Jeremy) Weaks, Dana Bennett and Rachael Bennett; six great grandchildren, Makenzie and Mia Housenga, Dawson and Hadley Housenga, Barrett and Blaire Weaks; three step grandchildren, Joseph (Celestine) Hlubek, Brian (Sally) Hlubek and Eric (Teresa) Hlubek; seven step great grandchildren, Alexandra, Sean, Carly, Joseph Jr., Robert, Dalton and Garrett Hlubek; sister in law, Suzann Bennett of Fountain Valley, CA, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lorraine; one brother, Richard James Bennett; one grandson, Kyle James Bennett.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
12
Jul
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Bosma-Renkes - Fulton Chapel
1500 10th Avenue
Fulton, IL 61252
Visitation
Saturday
13
Jul
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
St. Patrick Catholic Church
1201 North Bluff Street
Albany, IL 61230
Funeral Mass
Saturday
13
Jul
11:00 AM
St. Patrick Catholic Church
1201 North Bluff Street
Albany, IL 61230
Cemetery Details
Location
Calvary Hill Cemetery
701 Fowler Rd
Fulton, IL 61252
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