E. Dean Bennett, 91, of LaHarpe, Ill., died Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Bickford of Macomb, Ill..
Dean was born March 26, 1933 in LaHarpe the son of Elmer and Leta Albaugh Bennett. On Sept. 6, 1958 he married Darlene Thomson at the Church of the Brethren in Canton, Ill..
Dean was a 1951 graduate of LaHarpe High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a 66 year member of the LaHarpe American Legion Post #301 and a member and past President of the LaHarpe Historical Society. As a young man, Dean worked for the T, P & W Railroad with the Bridge Crew and later the Section Crew in LaHarpe. Besides farming all of his life in the LaHarpe area he also worked for Blythe Farms, Little Brothers, Housewright Construction, Alfred Huston, all in LaHarpe, and retired from JC Penney. He enjoyed raising hogs, especially registered Hampshires, working in his yard, gardening and tending his flowers.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Darlene, two children: Mike (Hilary) Bennett of LaHarpe and Denise (Eric) Thompson of LaHarpe; three grandchildren: Kayla (Jamie) Taylor, Bart (Lacie) Thompson and Cole (Jenni) Thompson and six great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Penelope, Broderick and Nolan Thompson and Abigail and Harper Taylor.
He was preceded in death by three brothers: Lowell, Lisle and Harold and three sisters: Loraine Griffith, Patsy Holmes and Mary Rouse.
Friends may call from 2:00 until 7 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2024, at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024 at LaHarpe Cemetery with Pastor Nate McCarter officiating. Military Rites will be presented by the LaHarpe American Legion Post #301.
A memorial fund has been established for the LaHarpe Fire Department or the LaHarpe Ambulance Service.