Willis Kiethline Bennett – ROCKET-COURIER
Willis Kiethline Bennett, aged 90, of Rock Hill, PA, died at his home on Wednesday December 21, 2022.
He was born on November 19, 1932 in Silvara, PA to the late Clark Elgin (d. 1942) and Esther Kiethline Bennett (d. 1944).
He was a graduate of Laceyville High School with the class of 1950.
He received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry from Penn State University with the Class of 1954.
In college he was a member of NROTC and after graduating served his country during the Korean War in the US Navy (1954-1956) and then in the Naval Reserve.
Willis married Rosalie Ruth Young on June 4, 1956 at the United Church of Canada in Lockeport, Nova Scotia.
After marriage he worked with his uncle William Kiethline on the family farm at Rock Hill from 1956 to 1966.
He then accepted employment at Procter and Gamble and retired in 1986.
Together with his sons, he continued to farm the farm with sheep and cattle. Willis was also a Windham Township Supervisor for many years.
He was a member of Skinners Eddy United Methodist Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher and held administrative positions.
He was also a member of Franklin Lodge #263 F&AM.
He was an avid hiker, often strolling through the woods and his land.
He loved watching sports, especially his sons and grandchildren. Willis took great pride in his gardening skills. What he loved most was the time he could spend with his family.
He is survived by his loving wife, Rosalie “Ruth” Bennett, with whom he was 66; his children and spouse, Brian and Diane Bennett of Mehoopany, PA, David Bennett of Laceyville, PA, Linda Bennett of Laceyville, PA, Wayne and Yoshimi Bennett of Cape Carteret, NC, Dale and Chantel Bennett of Forkston, PA, and Brett and Amy Bennett of Laceyville, PA; 14 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; his siblings and spouses, Gerald and Shirley Bennett of Tunkhannock, PA; Geraldine Johnston and Jim Frizzell of Truro, Nova Scotia; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Willis is preceded in death by his son Steven Allan Bennett, his great-granddaughter Ellie Mei Bennett, his brother and sister-in-law Clark E. Bennett, and June Bennett, his father-in-law and mother-in-law. Isaac and Ethel Young, his brother-in-law Malcolm E. Young, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joan L. Foote and Fred Foote.
A funeral service for Willis will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Skinners Eddy United Methodist Church, conducted by the Reverend Ron Folk.
The service begins with a military service of honor conducted by members of Rought Hall American Legion Post #510, Dennis Strong American Legion Post #457, and Endless Mountains VFW Post #3583, and a Masonic service conducted by members of the Franklin Lodge #263 F&AM. Burial will follow at North Flat Cemetery. Family and friends can visit the church on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 from 12 noon until the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made on behalf of Willis to Skinner Eddy United Methodist Church, 133 Doolittle Hill Road, Laceyville, PA 18623, or the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 207, Laceyville, PA 18623, or the Laceyville Library, PO, Done Field 68, Laceyville, PA 18623.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Sheldon Funeral Home, 459 Main St. Laceyville, PA. Online condolences can be submitted at www.SheldonFuneralHomes.com.
