Earl "Bernard" Bennett

Bernard “Benny” Bennett, beloved father, grandfather and friend passed away on Saturday October 12 at his home in Mill City, Oregon. He was born on August 19, 1925 in Silverton, Oregon to Earl and Blanche Bennett. He graduated from Silverton High School, then attended the University of Oregon before serving in the Merchant Marines during WWII.  He met Jewell Woldahl at a dance in Silverton and they married in 1946.  They moved to Mill City in 1946, where he built the house that he lived in all his life.  He worked in the forest products industry and retired from Cedar Lumber Company in 1987.  He was a volunteer with the Mill City fire department including support for the 4th of July fireworks and annual parade.  Benny was a proud American.  He honored all veterans and was proud that his son and grandchildren served, including deployments in the Middle East.  Every morning he raised the American flag along with the colors of the Marine Corps.  He proudly kept in his home the flag colors of Army, Navy, Marine and Merchant Marines.  On any given afternoon, up to his last days Benny could be found in his woodshop creating puzzles, toys and ornaments he loved to give away to friends and charities.  In 2018, using his scroll saw, he made 150 wooden ornaments for the Capitol Christmas tree in Washington DC.  He enjoyed all outdoor activities, but especially loved fishing at Marion Lake, hunting, hiking and camping, including the evening card games. If you were playing Pinochle with Benny, you had to know how to pass correctly. Traveling the northwest forests and trips to Alaska were his favorite with family and special friends. He loved to garden and share the bounty with all.  All that knew Benny will remember his affinity for colorful stories and jokes – and if there aren’t and trees in your road or hooks in your behind, you might just remember a few gems of wisdom from them. He was always eager to laugh and enjoy life with family and friends about good times.  He particularly enjoyed listening and sharing stories with children and watching them grow through the years.   He loved his sports – especially his Oregon Ducks. If the Ducks were playing, you could bet Benny was tuned in somewhere. His seats at Autzen Stadium - Section 12 – Row 15 – Seats 9 & 10 – will continue to be filled by members of his family.  Benny’s legacy will be a grateful family and the many friends whose lives he touched through the years.  We will all remember his kind heart, carry on his traditions and continue to tell his stories for the generations to pass on. Benny is survived by his daughter Sherry (Bennett) Podrabsky and husband Don Podrabsky, also son Mark Bennett and wife Patricia (Moore) Bennett; eight grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife Jewell and son Craig. A celebration of life is being planned for next July with notice to follow.  Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Doernbecher Hospital in Portland, Oregon