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Gerald P. “Jerry” Bennett, age 72, of Kline’s Resort, Three Rivers, died peacefully at his home on Saturday Sep. 7, 2013 following a long illness. He was born in Battle Creek on July 13, 1941 and was the son of Virgil C. and Ethel (Shook) Bennett. Jerry attended Battle Creek Lakeview High School, and worked briefly for the Grand Trunk Railroad. He was married to Rebecca Barber in 1967, and they were later divorced. He had been employed for over 30 years at Fisher Body, later known as B.O.C. and General Motors in Kalamazoo, retiring in 1997. After retirement he delivered parts for Milwood Auto and David Rice Auto Sales. Jerry enjoyed bowling and attending car shows. He also enjoyed Karaoke singing and was an Elvis Presley fan. He was a member of the Mendon Kiwanis Club where he was an active participant in the Dust-Off and the Mendon Kiwanis Showboat, and will always be remembered for his sense of humor.
Jerry was married to Mary Elizabeth (Barnhart) Yokuty in 1996. She survives along with daughters, Kathryn (Kevin) Nagel of Battle Creek, Dawn Gibson, and Bambi Cummings both of California; 5 step-children, Amy (Brian Trefry) Davis of Ft. Myers, FL, Shannon (Dave) Cordon of Canton, MI, Jeffrey (Milan) Yokuty of New York, NY, Jennifer (Nick) Kolb of New Hudson, MI, and Michelle (Mario) Santillo of Canton, MI; 10 grandchildren, Katelynne Nagel, Jordan Bailey, Isabella Trefry, Krystyna Cordon, Grant Cordon, Mikaela Cordon, Amaya Yokuty, Deven Yokuty, Jillian Kolb, and Jack Santillo; special friends and caregivers, Art & Pauline English, Ken & Ann Allen, Kay Bowers, Jenny Tenney, Nancy Phillips, Lori Holder, Nancy Randazzo, and Mary Kennedy. He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-daughter, Christine Yokuty; and special friends, David Tenney and Dan Bowers.
Cremation has been conducted. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday Sep. 14, 2013 at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Memorials services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Wally Stoepker officiating. It is suggested that memorials be directed to Grace Hospice, 2725 Airway Blvd., Portage, MI 49004 or to the Mendon Kiwanis Club. P.O. Box 296, Mendon, MI 49072. Condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com
