CMSGT JOHN BENNETT U.S. Air Force, Retired

John W. Bennett, 85, passed away Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. John was born Jan. 13, 1932, in Winder, Ga., to Lester and Era Bennett. John enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952. John’s first base station was Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, S.D., where he met his beautiful bride, Betty Ann Schmidt. John and Betty were married March 21, 1954, celebrating 63years of marriage in 2017. John was stationed in Newfoundland, Germany, South Korea, and the Philippines, where he was responsible for the hospital dining hall when the Vietnam POW’s enjoyed their first dinners after their release. John spent 32 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank in the service. After retirement, John and Betty moved to Las Vegas, where they made their home together for the past 25 years. John is survived by his wife, Betty A. Bennett; daughter, Jolene Nelson of The Villages, Fla.; son, John Bennett Jr. and his wife, Nada Bennett, of Fort Mill, S.C.; four grandchildren, LeAnne Sherwood of Boulder, Colo., Justin Bennett of San Francisco, Elise Bennett of Fort Mill, and Brandon Bennett of San Jose, Calif.; and two great-grandchildren, Hailey Sherwood of Boulder, and Cossette Bennett of Fort Mill. John is also survived by two brothers, Sam Bennett and Ray Bennett; and one sister, Evelyn Merkison, all residents of Georgia. John was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and three brothers. Funeral services will be at 11:15 am. Tuesday, November 7, at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005.