George
L. Bennett, 80San Jose, CA - George L. "Verne" Bennett, 80, died Sunday, April 18, 1999 at his home in San Jose, CA.
Services were held on Thursday, April 22 at Campbell Memorial Chapel in Campbell, CA with Pastor Richard Corson officiating. Interment was at Los Gatos Memorial Park in San Jose, CA.
George LeVerne Bennett was born on July 14, 1918 in Huron, SD, the son of Frank E. and Sadie E. (Harper) Bennett. When he was three years old, he moved with his family to Red Lake county, near Plummer where he attended school. When he was 13 his parents purchased a homestead in Comstock township near Warren, and he grew up there.
In 1939 George entered the U.S. Calvary and later transferred to the U.S. Airforce.
In 1942, while stationed in Missouri, George met and married Hazel Brown. That same year, he was sent to the Central Pacific during World War II. While there, he flew several missions as an aerial gunner and radio operator mechanic. George held the rank of Technical Sergeant and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart and several other Airforce medals.
Following his discharge in 1944, George returned to Warren where he farmed near his childhood home. His wife, Hazel, was a secretary for PKM Electric for several years.
In 1960, the family moved to California where George worked as a toolmaker for Lockhead Corporation until his retirement. In addition to raising their own three children, George and Hazel took in the foster children that remained close to them until the time of their deaths.
George is survived by two daughters, Patricia (Darrell) McQuiston and Judy (Edward) Chirco, both of San Jose, CA; one son, Casey (Melody) of Portland, OR; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Clifford (Marilyn) of Warren and Frank (Cleo) of Winston-Salem, NC; one sister, Emma (George) Erickson of rural Viking; three foster sons, Tom, Manuel and Wayne and their families; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel; his parents; and one brother, Kenneth. A00003B1999MY19