Gerald H. Bennett

Gerald Hamor Bennett, age 87, of Pittsfield, IL, formerly of Griggsville, IL, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Pittsfield Manor. He was born on the family farm in Chambersburg Township, IL on March 1, 1936, the second son born to Hamor Gray Bennett and Charmian Smith Bennett. Gerald married Sally Ann Fulmer December 24, 1957, at the Perry Methodist Church and she survives.

Mr. Bennett was a 1954 graduate of Griggsville High School and served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 as a Specialist Third Class, serving in Germany with the 44th, then the 287th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th U.S. Army. He farmed for 33 years from 1957 to 1980, and then became an over-the-road owner-operator of a semi tractor trailer for 20 years. He retired from driving in December 2000.

After retirement Gerald liked to go to his farm and work on projects there. His hobbies included four-wheeling in his Jeep and buying and restoring antique John Deere tractors, driving them in local parades and tractor drives. He also enjoyed photography, sharing that hobby with his eldest son, Stephen, with whom he had done photography workshops and Jeep tours together in the Colorado mountains. Gerald liked to travel, and in addition to family vacations he had taken Jeep tours and motorcycle drives with his two brothers, Dale and Paul. Their travels included motorcycle treks to the Blue Ridge Parkway and to the Black Hills in South Dakota.

Gerald was a 55 year member of the Pike County Farm Bureau, and a member of the Two Rivers Jeep Club and the Western Illinois Tractor Club. He was a member of the Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene, and the American Legion Post 152.

Mr. Bennett is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Sally Bennett; five children, Dr. Stephen Bennett (wife Dr. Lee Tai) of Flossmoor, IL, Rebecca Ann Denny (husband Robert) of Summerville, SC, Angela Jane Ybanez (husband, Sergio) of Mesa, AZ, Valerie Ruth Bailey (husband Kenneth) of Griggsville, IL and Christopher Daniel Bennett (wife Kayla) of Peoria, IL; eight grandchildren, Amanda and Ethan Jeffries, Ashley, Zachary and Sean Bennett, Joshua and Samuel Denny (wife Skye) and Amy MacDonnell (husband Landon); seven great grandchildren, Emily Jeffries, Eli Duncan, Ensley Duncan, Logan, Burg, Ellie MacDonnell, Jade MacDonnell and Noah MacDonnell.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Hamor and Charmian Bennett; and his two brothers, Dale Bennett and Paul Bennett.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 12:00 PM at Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene with visitation held prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Interment will follow the service at Griggsville Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to be made to Pittsfield American Legion Post #152 or Griggsville Cemetery. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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