JOHN DOUGLAS “JACK” BENNETT

John Douglas “Jack” Bennett, 83, Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

He was born March 9, 1925, in Ottawa, the son of F. R. and Jane (Davis) Bennett Sr. He grew up and attended schools in Ottawa. He graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1943. Jack also attended the University of Kansas.

Jack was inducted into the United States Marine Corps Feb. 24, 1943, where he served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Jack was an automatic rifleman and guard where he was stationed at Paris Island, Guam, Okinawa, Japan and China. He was wounded in action on June 16, 1945, at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands of Japan and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged from the First Separation Company MCB in San Diego, Calif., March 30, 1946.

Jack was a very proud Marine who never forgot the sacrifices that have been fought so that we all can have the opportunities to live our lives freely. His love and dedication to his family, friends and the Ottawa community always will be appreciated and will be expressed in the daily lives of everyone with whom he came in contact.

On April 22, 1947, he was united in marriage to Sally Jane Winterscheidt in Lawrence. They shared more than 39 years of marriage before Sally passed away on June 24, 1986. Jack later married Nancy Jane Wiersman on June 10, 1995. They later divorced.

Jack spent most of his life working in the family owned businesses; Bennett Ice Co., Bennett’s Creamery and later for the Dillon Cos. where he retired in 1987.

He enjoyed hunting, riding horses, rodeos, traveling, photography and was very proud of all his grandchildren and loved attending all of their activities. He will be missed by all of his coffee buddies down at Kramer’s Pharmacy. Most of all — to Jack’s family and friends — he will always be remembered as the easy-going, light-hearted and a good-humored man who always had the time to stop and put a smile on your face.

Survivors include three sons, Brian Douglas Bennett, and his wife, Stephanie, of Overland Park, Dana Ransom Bennett, and his wife, Patti, of Pueblo, Colo., and John Darroll Bennett, and Ann Page, of Laramie, Wyo.; one daughter, Sarah J. Bennett, of Fort Collins, Colo.; three grandchildren, Bethanie Jill Timmons, and her husband, Jeff, of Shawnee, Elliott Bennett Nesch and James Ethan Nesch both of Fort Collins, Colo.; one great-granddaughter, Sophie Grace Timmons; four nephews, John G., Frank, Davis S., and Michael Bennett; one niece, Barbara J. Deacon.

Mr. Bennett was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sally; one brother, F. R. Bennett Jr., and his beloved dog, Doc.

Funeral services will be 4 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008, at the First Baptist Church in Ottawa. Interment with military honors will be at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa. A visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home in Ottawa. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter or to the Disabled American Veterans and sent in care of Lamb-Robert Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa KS 66067.