Walter Donald BENNETT

4 JUL 1940 - 1 JUN 2011

• BIRTH: 4 JUL 1940, Middlesboro, Bell County, KY
• DEATH: 1 JUN 2011, Bristol, Elkhart County, IN

• MARRIAGE: 6 APR 1962, St Joseph County, IN
• DIVORCE: 1973, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N28210] Walter Donald “Don” Bennett

BIRTH 4 Jul 1940
Middlesboro, Bell County, KY

DEATH 1 Jun 2011 (aged 70)
Bristol, Elkhart County, IN

BURIAL
Fairview Cemetery
Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, IN
MEMORIAL ID80395129

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Walter Donald Bennett, known as "Don" to his family and friends, was a local businessman who built, owned, and operated Bennett Motor Company on Fir Road in Mishawaka, Don Bennett's Beech Road Body Shop in Osceola, and Don Bennett's Restorations in Bristol. Don had a heart attack near his home, on CR 131. He managed to pull over to the side of the road, then he passed away in his car. June 1st, 2011 and June 7th 2011, the date of his burial, were probably the saddest days of my life.
Here are portions of the obituary, that I wrote about my father, on June 3, 2011. It appeared in its entirety in the South Bend Tribune and The Elkhart Truth on Sunday June 6, 2011. I updated this bio in 2018. I corrected a few of the names and locations that were mistakes or misprints in the paper. I also removed certain identifying information of living persons.

~ Deanna Rodecki

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Don Bennett
July 4, 1940 - June 1, 2011

Walter Donald Bennett - "Don" died unexpectedly last Wednesday evening in Bristol, Indiana. He was 70. His wife Katherine remembered him as the happiest person she had ever known. "He had a special presence about him, and a unique way of making everyone feel special." When they were alive, Don and Katherine enjoyed inviting lots of friends and family over for cook outs, nature walks, to cool off at their "hillbilly water park," and for summer evening bonfires at their large eleven acre property. Don's winning smile, his helpful nature, kind manner, famous banana pudding, and his funny stories about cars and the good old days will be greatly missed. Born on the 4th of July, 1940 in Middlesboro, Kentucky, Don loved the fact that his birthday was on Independence Day! He was the son of Eva Leona (England) and Alfred Bennett, who were married on July 3, 1938 in Cumberland Gap. Don had nine sisters. The Bennett family left Kentucky and moved to Indiana in 1951. Don attended Mishawaka High school, he was a member of the class of 1959. Don loved cars and claimed that he began driving at age 8. Don turned that passion into a career. In 1967, Don built Bennett Motor Company on Fir Road in Mishawaka. In 1982 he opened Don Bennett's Beech Road Body Shop, in Osceola. Don was known for his superior workmanship and his vast knowledge of automobiles. Even after retiring to Bristol, he still operated Don Bennett Classic Restorations; proudly turning out classic cars restored to perfection. His motto was: "Attention to detail, makes the difference." Car lovers will miss being able to consult Don for his expertise about any year, make, or model of car. Don loved old westerns, he was an avid reader, studied politics, and was a history buff. He was particularly interested in genealogy, aviation, and World War II history. He enjoyed nothing more than a rousing discussion of these topics. Don was a member of Crystal Valley Missionary Church in Middlebury, The Bell County Historical Society, and as a private pilot, he was a former member of the Mishawaka Pilot's Club. Don had recently been acknowledged as a Kentucky Colonel.
Don's family was the light of his life. Left behind to cherish his memory is his only child, Deanna Lynn, her husband Christopher, and his two grandsons, Andrew and Evan. Also surviving at that time were Don's sisters, Charlotte of Elkhart, Mable Smith Oswalt (now deceased) of Elloree, SC, Barbara of New Tazwell, TN, Sarah Bennett Cain (now deceased) of Franklin, NC, Wilma of Warren, MI, and Agnes of Corvalis, OR., many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a lifelong friend Robert, of Cartersville, GA.
Although Don married five times, mentioned here will be the two longest marriages. He was previously married to Georgiana Vercolio, his daughter's mother, from 1962-1973. Don and Katherine M. Hosler married each other twice. Once in 1988 and then in 1992, however, they only celebrated their 1988 anniversary. They were together for 23 years. Sadly, Katherine passed away in 2018.Preceding Don in death were his parents, and sisters: Lois Beatrice Owens, Stella Mae Hill, and Dallas Cleo Bair.

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Not too far from Don's grave, you will find a large boulder that is shaped like a giant chair. We refer to it as "Papa's Sitting Rock" and it was formerly located at his home in Bristol. For years it was a quiet place that he liked to sit and enjoy nature. It overlooked the big pond, and all of the beautiful tulips and flowers planted by his wife. Family photos were regularly taken on it. Looking at those photos, you can see how the children had grown over the years. I had "The Sitting Rock" moved to Fairview Cemetery on September 4, 2011. If you are ever out walking around the cemetery, stop and "sit a spell." Think about the world and everything beautiful in it. Count your blessings and think about the people that you love. My father was an unforgettable, amazing man. I carry his love with me everywhere that I go.