Rev. Leo (Bud) Elwood Bennett passed away peaceful on October 31, 2018 at American House, Holland were he has been residing. He was born in Jackson, Michigan on September 19, 1926 son of Lewis and Leona (Kast) Bennett. He graduated from Lansing Technical High School in 1943. From October 1943 - April 1946 Leo served in the United States Navy, SF 2c USNR onboard the USS Denver (CL-58) and received a Purple Heart in Pacific Theater. After the war he became a plumber in Lansing and married the love of his life Joyce “Dolly” Jean Bement on June 28, 1947. Leo attended Garrett Theological Seminary in Illinois and was ordained into the United Methodist Ministry. Leo and Joyce served the following church appointments in the West Michigan Conference: South Cadillac 1956 to 1961; Alden and Kewadin Indian Mission 1961 to 1965; Cedar Springs 1965 to 1970; Wayland 1970 To 1979; Lawrence 1979 to 1986; Hinchman and Oronoko 1986 to 1989; Jackson: First (Associate Pastor) 1989 to 1993. He retired in 1993 and upon retirement they made their home in Holland, Michigan.
Leo enjoyed traveling with his “Dolly” in their motor home, wintering in Arizona. He loved to work with his hands building fine furniture, making candles and creating jewelry from old forks and spoons.
Rev. Leo was preceded in death by his wife; parents, brothers Lewis (Hazel) Bennett, Lynne Bennett, Lyle Bennett; sisters Lorraine (Lester) Burch, Leah (Wilfred) Orton, daughter-in-law Michelle Bennett.
Surviving are sister: Rev. Loyce Thrush of Cottage Grove, Minnesota; sons Terry (Linda) Bennett of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dennis “DK” Bennett of Bluffton, South Carolina; granddaughters, Morgaine (Harry) Bell of Hardwick, Vermont; Amy (Gerald) Sebolt of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Krista (Charles) Savinsky, of Wayland, Michigan, great grandchildren Kassandra Bell, Zachary and Nathan Savinsky.
Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Lansing, MI. Please visit www.lakeshorememorial.com to leave a message or memory for the Bennett family.
