Melvin Arnold Bennett, 81, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, passed away Feb. 4, 2025, at Blue Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
He was born Aug. 1, 1943, in Circleville, the son of the late Vivian E. and Emmel A. (Zickefoose) Bennett.
Mr. Bennett was a 1961 graduate of Circleville High School.
He spent most of his career with Kawneer Manufacturing in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and later retired from AMP Incorporated.
He loved hunting and camping, and spending time with family and friends, especially on the family farm. He always had a story to tell to whoever would listen.
He was a member of Middle River Church of the Brethren in Fort Defiance, Virginia.
On Sept. 2, 1972, he married Katheryn Lou Hedrick, who preceded him in death on Oct. 10, 2021.
Surviving are a daughter, Elizabeth and Cecil Welcher of Grottoes, Virginia; a son, Melvin A Bennett, Jr., of Mt Sidney, Virginia, and companion, Kimberly Dawn Bennett; a granddaughter, Amy L Welcher; a grandson, Danny Ray Michael Bennett; sisters-in-law, Mary and Larry Raines, Patsy Hedrick and Dick Vance and Daisy Hedrick, all of Seneca Rocks, and Dotty and Larry Armentrout of Cabins; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service was held Sunday in the chapel of the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin with Pastor Kathleen Michael officiating. Interment was in North Fork Memorial Cemetery at Riverton.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Middle River Church of the Brethren in Fort Defiance, Virginia.
Memorials may be made to Middle River Church of the Brethren, PO Box 17, New Hope, VA 24469.
Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com.