Monty "Joe" Bennett

Monty “Joe” Clare Bennett Joe (Monty Clare) Bennett, age 86, of Nashville, Michigan and Sebring, Florida, went to heaven peacefully on February 22, 2025, and will be deeply missed by all  who loved him.

He was born at home on March 6, 1938, in Hastings, Michigan, the son of Cecil C.Bennett and Ellen M. Edwards Bennett Thaler. His grandmother, Anna Edwards Brock delivered him, and she was a very special person in his life. He lived in Hastings all of his life until retiring to Nashville, Michigan and Sebring, Florida.

Joe attended the Hastings schools, graduating in 1956, and was proud to have  been the only person that ever lettered in four sports, (football, basketball, track and baseball) in his senior year of High School. He was a lifelong athlete who enjoyed skiing, bowling, golf, tennis, and running. He could consistently bowl perfect score 300 games and was an excellent golfer. He ran daily for thirty years, from age 50 to 80 and finished two marathons. He took many classes at Michigan State College and was a true Spartan Fan, attending many home games for years.

Joe joined the Army directly out of High School and served in Korea. He was very proud to be a Korean War Veteran.

He started at the Hastings Manufacturing Company shortly after serving in the Army, working his way up from a machinist to Corporate Secretary and being an Officer and Director of the company. He was very proud to have worked for the same company for 45 years before retiring. Joe was a Barry County Commissioner for four years and was involved in several projects that benefited the residents of the county.

Joe helped to support many organizations in Hastings and Barry County and enjoyed sharing his expertise. He was a Life Member of the Hastings Masonic Lodge #52, joining at age 21. Joe was a 15-year member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce from age 21 to 36 years old. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Barry County Chamber of Commerce. Joe was the treasurer of the Barry County YMCA for 12 years. He served in various roles helping the Barry County Red Cross, the Barry Community Hospice, the Barry County Manor, the Barry County Sheriff's Department, and several other organizations during his many years of service.

In retirement, Joe was so happy living in a resort in sunny Florida for the winter with the love of his life, wife and partner of 16 years, Kimberley Bell, where he socialized, shot pool at the pool hall, went to concerts and shows, danced, enjoyed the lake, enjoyed visits from family, especially daughter, Jolene, her husband, Harold, and grandchildren, and made many wonderful friends.

Joe Bennett had a zest for life and enjoyed many activities. He taught himself to ski and enjoyed skiing in Lake Tahoe for many years on his birthday, and in various other places. He enjoyed watching his favorite sports, golf and tennis, on television, and followed them for years. He taught himself to sail a large sail boat and enjoyed sailing on Lake Michigan. He loved to fish, being on or by the water and kayaking. He was an avid reader of thriller novels and loved those types of movies. He loved camping, especially at music festivals, state parks, and a yearly family mushrooming weekend. He loved bonfires and being with his family.

Joe loved music, especially country music, and going to Traditional Music Festivals where he played music with many special friends at the campgrounds. He taught himself to play banjo, mandolin and guitar in retirement. He was a member of several traditional music organizations. Joe had a beautiful tenor voice, joining choir in High School and then singing at jams in Michigan and Florida while his wife, Kimberley, accompanied him on guitar.

Joe Bennett had a big and fun-loving personality that would light up the room and he was very at ease with people and in large groups. He could talk to anyone, anywhere, and everyone was a friend. Joe was a deep thinker and was a lifelong student, studying many different subjects, with systems and energy being his favorites. To be successful was very important to him, as well as, staying with something long term. He was very spiritual and had a deep faith in God. He was definitely a witty and very funny talker who could creatively come up with jokes on the fly. He loved a good joke and talking with friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Rachael Elizabeth Finney; his brother, Lanny R. Bennett; his mother, Ellen M. Edwards Bennett Thaler; his father, Cecil C. Bennett; a very special aunt, Elsie Sage; his grandparents, Melvin R. Edwards and Anna M. Edwards Brock; and grandparents, Arthur and Flossie Bennett; and his favorite cat of 16 years, Kiki.

Joe Bennett is survived by his loving wife, Kimberley Bell; his loving daughters,Julie (Bob) Cooke and Jolene (Harold) Finney, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren, his brothers, Gordon (Delilah) Bennett, and Jay Bennett, his dear exchange student Pascal (Stefanie) Bussmann and many family and friends who loved him dearly.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Morris Funeral Chapel of Sebring, Florida. To leave a favorite memory or condolences visit www.morrisfuneralchapel.com.