Simon J. “Bud” Bennett, 85, Upland, passed away in his home at 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, February 18, 2018. He was born in Meadow Bridge, West Virginia, on December 23, 1932, to the late Simon Clifton and Stella Mae (Berry) Bennett. On November 16, 1956, Bud married LouAnn Burton, and they were just two months shy of celebrating their 60th anniversary before she preceded him in death on September 3, 2016. He missed her so much.
Bud enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country in Germany. It was while in the service that he received his high school diploma. Bud was always a hard-working man and, with just $35 in their pockets, he and LouAnn started their own business—Bennett Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning, which became very successful. He owned this business for 50 years until his retirement in 2000. Not one to sit around, Bud came out of retirement in 2006 and worked for Mechanical, Inc., where he was the Plumbing Superintendent for the construction of Gas City’s Walmart Distribution Center.
One of Bud’s greatest passions in life was hunting, especially deer and turkey. He had several trophies in his home which reflected his love and passion for the sport.
There was nothing Bud was more proud of than his family. He and LouAnn were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Beth, who married Bob Winters. They, too, had a daughter, whom they named Emilee (Dustin Ness), and was Bud’s pride and joy.
Bud grew up with four sisters and three brothers. Ethel Hawk, Jonesboro, and Esther (Jerry) Evans, Texas, survive, while two sisters, Berdie Redden and Goldie Bennett, and three brothers, Millard, Eldridge, and Joe Bennett have preceded him in death. Bud is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as a special daughter, Pam (Larry) Poling, Upland, and a special son, Andy (Lisa) Wimmer, Upland.
The family will receive visitors from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2018, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN. There will be additional visitation from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service.
Services to celebrate Bud’s life will be held at the funeral home at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2018. Pastor David Morris will be officiating with burial following at Jefferson Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.