Virgil Bennett

Virgil E. Bennett entered his eternal reward on his 94^th birthday on November 15, 2016, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. He was born in South Lancaster Township on November 15, 1922, the son of Grant and Margaret (Ertz) Bennett. Virgil married Sophie Stadelman on February 18, 1946, at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster. Together they farmed in Little Grant Township. Sophie passed away on May 25, 1976. He later married Geneva Fager on September 17, 1977, at Faith Lutheran Church in Lancaster. They resided in Lancaster. Virgil and Geneva volunteered with Builders for Christ Organization and helped build places of worship throughout the United States. Geneva passed away on January 22, 2011. In addition to farming, Virgil was a patrolman for Little Grant Township, a wine maker and a fisherman. He also enjoyed refinishing and repairing furniture and playing cards. Virgil was a member of the Apostles Lutheran Church in Platteville.

Survivors include his children: Mary (Phil) Wegmann, Frances (Rodger) Irish, Tom (Sally) Bennett, all of Lancaster; Joanne (David) Zweifel, Lake Mills; Harold Fager and Brian (Sue) Fager, all of Lancaster; Karl (Nancy) Fager, Mankato, MN; 20 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one brother, Joe (Corrine) Bennett, Moorhead, MN; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wives, Virgil was preceded in death by a son, John Bennett; a step-daughter, Linda Fager; a grandson, Ryan Zweifel; a step-grandson, Greg Fager; two sisters, Sister Dorothy Bennett and Betty Snider Hoffman; two brothers, Bob Bennett and Harold Bennett; sisters-in-law, Ruth Bennett, Iva Bennett, Irene Bennett; brothers-in-law, Clinton Snider and Clarence Hoffman.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 21, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory, 1234 S Madison Street in Lancaster with Reverend Thomas N. Reeder, Jr. of the Apostles Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Platteville officiating. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bloomington. Family and friends called on Sunday, November 20, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home and on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Virgil E. Bennett Memorial Fund has been established.