Paul W. Bennett, 97, Thawville, IL

Paul W. Bennett, 97, of Thawville passed away on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at the Piper City Rehab & Living Center.

Paul was born April 3, 1915 in Kankakee, the son of Jay C. and Florence Simpson Bennett.  He married Violetta A. Crawford on February 15, 1939 in Paxton and she preceded him in death on September 6, 2005.

Surviving are one daughter, Sharon Bennett of Chicago; one son, Rodger Bennett of Thawville; one grandson, Jay (Beth) Bennett of Rantoul; and one great-granddaughter, Kinzie Violet Bennett.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Opal Black.

Mr. Bennett was a member of the Thawville United Methodist Church and a former member of the Ford-Iroquois Fire Protection District.  Paul worked at A.O. Smith in Kankakee and was a farmer in the Thawville area.  He graduated from high school in Raymond, NE in 1933 and enjoyed reading, fishing, traveling and old time radio.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 25, 2012 at the Thawville United Methodist Church.  Rev. Stanley Rapp will officiate.  Burial will be in the Ridgeland Twp. Cemetery in Thawville.

Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga and 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Piper City Rehab & Living Center or the donor’s choice.

Please sign the online guestbook at knappfuneralhomes.com.