Leo Waitman Bennett, 85, of Staunton, Virginia, went home to Heaven on Nov. 20, 2022, at Augusta Health Hospital surrounded by family.
He was born Jan. 5, 1937, in Staunton, Virginia, the son of the late Waitman and Geneva (Wimer) Bennett.
Mr. Bennett grew up and worked on the family farm in Pendleton County. After marrying the love of his life, Ruby, in 1956 and starting a family, he often worked jobs that kept him away from home during the week. He would return on the weekends to work the farm and be with his family.
In 1969, he moved his family to Staunton, Virginia, after taking a job in the trailer shop at Smith’s Transfer. He worked there for 20 years until it closed in 1988. He went on to work and officially retire from Shickel Machine Shop. Even after retiring, he still worked part-time at the Harrisonburg Auto Auction for several years. He was the kind of man who never knew when to stop.
He was a loving husband of 63 years, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was an active member of St. James United Methodist Church where he had many special friends.
His passions included animals, gardening, traveling to new places, fixing things, the daily crossword puzzles, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with his family and friends. He also loved to talk about all the people he had ever known or worked with, even if a person didn’t always have a clue who he was talking about.
His wife, Ruby (Hevener) Bennett, preceded him in death.
He will be greatly missed by his two children, Terry (Bennett) Smiley and husband, Jay of Staunton, Virginia, and Jeff Bennett and wife, LeAnn of Lanexa, Virginia; five granddaughters, Tina Smiley, Alyssa (Smiley) Moore and husband, Brandon, Lauren (Bennett) Rothgeb and husband, Dakota, Rachael (Bennett) Poe and husband, David, and Shelby Bennett and wife, Savannah; four great-grandchildren, Harrison and Elizabeth Poe and Bennett and River Rothgeb; a sister, Irene (Bennett) Lantz; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Virginia (Bennett) Rexrode; and two brothers-in-law, Junior Rexrode and John Lantz.
A private burial will be held in Green Hill Cemetery. A celebration of life will be officiated at 2 p.m. Nov. 30 in the sanctuary of St. James United Methodist Church in Churchville, Virginia, with Pastor Lester Kennedy officiating. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. James United Methodist Church, PO Box 43, Churchville, VA 24421.
His family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Augusta Health for the care and support provided during his final days, Pastor Kennedy, the St. James Church family, and other close friends.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory in Staunton, Virginia, is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net.
