George Harold Bennett

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 69 years, Angelica (Mauro) Bennett; parents Harold and Mary (Mondle) Bennett; brother Roy Bennett; sister Georgetta (Bennett) Zietlow; brothers-in-law Albert Mauro, Dominic Mauro, Anthony Mauro, Calvin Vickerman, Charles Zietlow, Stephen Perchinsky, and Angelo Rinaldi; sisters-in-law Palmina (Mauro) Rinaldi, Delina (Mauro) Perchinsky, Caroline Mauro, and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Mauro.

He is survived by his children Mary Bennett, Roy Bennett (Shirley), and George Bennett, Jr. (Marilyn Raines); his grandsons, Justin Bennett (Jodi), Scott Bennett (Jennifer), and Jason Bennett; and great-grandsons Tyler Bennett and Cooper “CJ” Bennett. He is also survived by sister Ruth (Bennett) Vickerman, brother-in-law, Frank Mauro (Cora), sister-in-law Angie Mauro, and many special nieces and nephews. Also surviving him are very dear caregivers, his "adopted daughters" Barbara Pest and Sharon Morton; and loving former daughter-in-law, Margi Myers.

George was a career US Air Force officer and a veteran of WWII, having survived the mid-air destruction of his aircraft and being held prisoner-of-war for eight months at Stalag Luft I. He also served in the Korean War. After his retirement from the military, he worked in Columbus at Specification Packaging Company, Marks Tractor, and the Defense Supply Center Columbus. He was an active member of Holy Spirit Church. He loved going out to dinner on Friday nights and dancing with his wife, enjoyed the riverboats with their senior citizens group, and was an avid golfer. Most of all, he was a wonderfully devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a friend to many, and loved by all.

Family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m. Monday at SCHOEDINGER EAST CHAPEL, 5360 E. Livingston Avenue. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at MOTHER ANGELINE MCCRORY MANOR, 5199 E Broad Street. Interment Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

We offer our special thanks to Dr. James Soldano and the staff at the Veterans Administration Ambulatory Care Center. Our deepest appreciation is also extended to those at HomeReach Hospice and Mother Angeline McCrory Manor, especially Marna, Frey, and John, for their devoted care. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate.