Delane Etta (Bennett) Bland, 96, of Wickliffe, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Dec. 8, 2023, at Kemper House of Highland Heights in Cleveland, Ohio.
She was born July 11, 1927, in Circleville and was the daughter of the late Curtis and Alpha (Sponaugle) Bennett. She was one of eight children.
She attended Circleville High School until she married Albert Bland of Macksville, upon his return from World War II in 1946. They had one daughter, Peggy Lou (Bland) Mills.
Mrs. Bland moved with her husband and daughter to Ohio in the early 1950s to pursue employment opportunities in the manufacturing industry, first in North Canton and later in Cleveland. For more than 30 years, she was employed at the General Electric Company at Nela Park in Cleveland. At the end of her career there, she was the sole quality inspector for the Miniature Lamp Department.
After retiring, she devoted her time to her family, friends and fellow GE retirees in the Quarter Century Club. She loved life and was so very proud of her granddaughter and her great-grandchildren. Her family was her heart and soul.
She had a passion for planting and caring for the flowers and shrubbery in her yard and kept it always looking pristine. She also loved getting her nails and hair done weekly, walking around the mall, always looking her best and talking on the phone with her family.
Surviving are a granddaughter, Jennifer Allyn (Mills) Reed (Lucas) of Chardon, Ohio; four great-grandchildren, Logan Edward Coles, Josslyn Peggylou Coles, Beckett Allen Coles, and Alexander Reed, all of Chardon, Ohio: a brother, Harlan Bennett of Damascus, Maryland; a sister, Judy Stout (Dywayne) of Franklin; a sister-in-law, Nancy Bennett of Sugar Grove; a former grandson-in-law, George Coles of Rossosh, Russia; an aunt, Idelta Sponaugle Lambert of Circleville; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Peggy Mills; brothers, Paul, Raymond, Hartsel, Guy and Richard; ex-husband, Albert Bland; sister-in-law, Darlene Bennett; and many aunts and uncles.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until noon today at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin, where a funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Michael Loudermilk officiating. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Franklin, alongside her parents.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome.com.
