Columbus, OH — Charles C. Bennett, 97, died in Fremont, Mich., on Jan. 21, 2023, with family by his side.
Mr. Bennett was born at home in the Bennett family farmhouse in Sheridan Township to Elias and Mae Bennett on Feb. 13, 1925. He spent his childhood and adult life prior to retirement in the same farmhouse. Spending the winters in Florida, he continued to work on the farm during the summers for several years, still mowing lawns just last summer.
Mr. Bennett attended Brookside School. He broke the young horses to ride on his way to and from the one room schoolhouse. He also attended an Agricultural Short course at Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (MSU today).
He managed a successful farming operation using new technologies and innovative ideas. He served on several agricultural organizations, school boards, and was a member of the Fremont United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association and a lifelong Mason.
In 1944, he rode his horse to a neighborhood home to ask Swedish school teacher Ruth Peason to the movies. On Valentine’s Day 1945, he gave her an engagement ring and the couple was married on April 20, 1945 in South Haven, Mich. Early in their married life, they named the family farm “Sleepy Ridge” where they lived for 32 years. Charles and Ruth spent their retirement years in Hesperia where they enjoyed friends, grandkids, and of course a few horses out back.
An expert horseman, Mr. Bennett always valued horses. He used his talents with draft horses, Tennessee Walkers, and Standardbreds. He found great joy in racing Standardbreds at Michigan fairs and Sunshine Raceway in Florida. He enjoyed taking his great grandkids on buggy rides down the country roads.
Mr. Bennett was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, after 60 years of marriage. The heavenly reunion will also include sons, Alan and David; as well as daughter-in-law, Carol.
He is survived by daughter-in-law, Pat; grandchildren, Aaron (Leslie), Sarah (Jason Krebill), Jane (Reggie) Ignash, Amber (Dave) Terakedis, Anne (Ken) Momany, Laura Fair, and Daniel (Laura); and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program (www.newvocations.org/donate).