RICHARD LYNN BENNETT

Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, Cantlon Otterness Funeral Home of Buffalo. Burial in Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Visitation: 10 a.m. to service time at the funeral home.

Pastor Steve Clark officiated. Music was provided by Tim Case and Jennifer Long with pianist Betsy Earls. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Online condolences can be made at www.cantlonotterness.com.

Escorts were the Bradley cousins.

Richard Lynn Bennett, 68, was born May 11, 1946. He died April 17, 2015.

As a young boy, his passion was fishing or hunting rabbits with his grandfather. He became a baptized member of Charity Christian Church at the age of 12.

He attended Charity Elementary for eight years, before transferring to Buffalo High School and graduating in May 1964. After graduation, he attended a business college in St. Louis and received his certification as a key punch operator.

Knowing he did not want to sit at a desk, he joined the U.S. Navy. Following eight weeks at Great Lakes Navy Boot Camp, he left for San Diego Marine Boot. He became a Seabee in the Mobile Construction Battalion #8, and served in DaNang, Vietnam. He was honorably discharged as a disabled veteran in 1969.

After his service, he spent several years living and working on the family farm south of Buffalo. His last years were spent in Springfield. He was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge in Marshfield.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Bennett; sister, Karen Kjar; and grandparents: Ernie and Blanche Bennett and Wilford and Alma Bradley.

Survivors include his mother, Irene Bennett, Buffalo; two sisters: Jeanette Willis, Springfield, and Joy Beamer, Buffalo; a son, Michael Lynn Bennett; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who will all truly miss him.