Larry Bennett, 87, of Vandalia, IL, passed away on December 30, 2024. He was a graduate of Sikeston, MO High School in 1955. He went on to receive his BS in Biological Sciences at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY in 1960. He completed his educational degree at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO. He started his lifelong career as an educator in Griggsville, IL in the early ‘60’s. There he served in a wide variety of capacities as a teacher, coach and an administrator. He went on to receive advanced degrees from Western Illinois University and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. In 1980 he accepted a job in the Vandalia, IL School District where he served as school superintendent until he retired in 1994.
Larry was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved spending time outdoors in his beautiful yard and local fishing holes. As a teenager in the 1950’s, he was a rock and roll fan. As an adult he enjoyed a variety of music including the musical theater where he was a year’s long season ticket holder at the Fox Theater. He instilled his passion for music to his daughters. His compassion for animals meant he was surrounded by devoted pets including his favorite, Pembroke Welsh corgis.
Larry not only served his community as a school leader, he also was a city council member, a Rotarian and the President of the Senior Citizen Center. He regularly donated blood through the Red Cross and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was a church goer and sang in the choir and worked on various committees.
Larry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Kay; daughters; Susan Bennett, Nancy Bennett and Karen Bennett; granddaughter, Mary Ann Rasmussen.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Norma Bennett, a sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Dale Ware and a nephew, Kevin Ware.
Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, January 3, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, with Pastor Lynne Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia, IL. Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Friday, January 3, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL. Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.
The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, all memorials can be made to Fayette County Animal Control or Evans Public Library.
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