Ernest "Ernie" Paul Bennett

Ernest “Ernie” Paul Bennett, 79, of Cowden, IL passed away on Monday, March 1, 2021 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL with loved ones by his side.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021 at the First Christian Church in Cowden.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at the First Christian Church in Cowden with Pastor Nate Harper officiating.  Burial will take place in Mound Cemetery with military honors performed by the Sarver-Guthrie American Legion Post 839 of Herrick.  Memorials may be made in Ernie’s name to the Cowden First Responders and mailed to Lockart-Green Funeral Home, %Ernie Bennett, 302 W. Main St., Shelbyville, IL 62565.  Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Cowden is assisting the family.

Ernie was born on September 21, 1941, one of seven sons, to Thomas Myron and Ada Mae (Horath) Bennett.  He was a graduate of Cowden High School and went on to serve in the United States Army, from 1959-1967, as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Company.  He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Ernie and Barbara Evans were united in holy matrimony on July 20, 1978 and were blessed with 42 years of marriage.  Ernie had many careers during his life, but most notably he spent his early years working in the oil fields at Exxon, he later farmed, raised livestock and ran an excavating business building ponds around Shelby County and surrounding counties.  He was a jack of all trades and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.  He enjoyed restoring old trucks and tractors, hunting, fishing, hogging for catfish and sharing his musical talents at nursing homes and community centers.  Ernie was a loving husband, father and grandfather and the rock and strength of his family. 

He is survived by his lovely wife, Barbara Bennett of Cowden; children:  Liada (Scott) Paradee of Cowden, Becky Gray of Shelbyville, Heather (Troy) Wade of Shelbyville, Paul (Kristin) Bennett of Shelbyville, Jacob Bennett (Taylor) of Cowden and Arianna Bennett of Shelbyville; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three brothers:  Thomas C. Bennett, Kenneth H. Bennett and Henry F. Bennett and mother-in-law, Isabelle Sally Evans.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Thomas Myron and Ada Mae Bennett; son, Ernest William Bennett and brothers:  Homer Horath, Harvey D. Bennett and Myron O. Bennett.

Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story in Ernie’s honor at www.lockartgreenfuneralhome.com.

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