Obituary: Carol Bennett, 78, Ludington

Carol Bennett

Obituary: Carol Bennett, 78, Ludington

Carol Dea Bennett, 78, of Ludington passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, December 17, 2019. She was born in Hammond, Indiana on March 15, 1941. Carol moved to Ludington at 4 years of age because of her grandparents, Lloyd and Eva Chaney, who bought Arcadia Resort on Upper Hamlin Lake. She graduated from Ludington High School in 1959 and remained actively engaged in hosting class reunions every five years until her death. Carol met her husband Bruce Bennett, in high school and they started dating while in college. Carol attended Grand Rapids Business College (now Davenport University) and she married Bruce in 1961. They lived their lives together for 55 years until Bruce’s passing in 2016. 

Carol was well-known in the Ludington Area School District as she worked for the Central Business Office for over 30 years. She has always been dedicated to youth and served as the original leader of the 4-H club, Mason County Saddle Tramps during the 1970s and 1980s. In that role, she helped start the Mason County youth shows so 4-H clubs had a place to practice before the county fair without having to travel to out of town shows. Carol was loved and admired by many for her selfless caring and giving to others.

She is survived by her sister, Judy Downing; four daughters, Stephanie (Jim) Emms, Merrilu Bennett, Penny Bennett and Laurie (Dan) Hoffman; grandchildren Jed (Kati) Emms, Jodi (Dusty) Green, Geoffrey and Eric Osmond, Brooke Bennett along with several great grandchildren nieces, nephews and cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce, mother Mary Lou Wehrle-Armstrong, sister Donna Mitchelopolus, son Mark Bennett and grandson Bennett Hoffman.

The family will receive friends and family for visitation on Friday, December 27, 2019 at 11 a.m. Her funeral service will be held at noon with Father Mick Shriver officiating with a luncheon to follow. All will be held at Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington located at 3060 W. US Hwy 10.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LHS class of ’59 Scholarship Fund in memory of Carol Bennett.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.oakgroveludington.com.