Born July 17, 1922 in Caruthersville, MO to Samuel Allen and Sadie (French) Bennett, he married Nettie Lillian Henson on September 26, 1943 in Caruthersville. She died February 18, 1983 in Pekin. He later married Helen Y. Davis on November 27, 1991 in Pekin. She survives.
Also surviving are four sons, Robert Bruce (Karen) Bennett of Peoria, Vernon C. Bennett of Pekin, Joe A. Bennett of Peoria and Charles D. “Bill” (Marta) Bennett of Princeville; two step-sons, David (Chris) Smith of Williamsfield and Daniel (Shelly) Smith of Kewanee; two step-daughters, Tina Hogsett of Hanna City and Tammy L. (Jody) Stevens of Dahinda; twenty-three grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers and two sisters.Virgil worked in auto body paint and repairs all of his working life and retired from Brenkman Oldsmobile Cadillac in Pekin.
He enjoyed his family and liked to play cards and games. He also enjoyed watching hummingbirds and western movies. He used to like camping.
Virgil was a member of South Pekin Southern Baptist Church.
His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Jimmy Walden will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral, with burial in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Virgil Bennett Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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