Donald Bennett

Donald Bennett, 75, of Bozeman, Montana passed away Thursday, October 22, 2009 at his home in Bozeman, MT. Don was born on September 28, 1934 in North Hollywood, California. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley area of California, graduating from San Fernando High. He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Moyer, on October 16, 1953. Don worked for Shirley#8217;s father building homes for two years, then served in the Marine Corps for two years, where he played football for the Marine Corps semi-pro team. Following the Marine Corps, Don returned to work for his father-in-law. He later worked for Caputo Paving, then for Huber Hunt #8211; Nichols doing commercial construction, retiring as a contract manager in January 1998. The couple moved to Bozeman in September 1998 to be near their oldest son. He loved to do woodworking in his shop, golfing, and camping. Don was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998, and he was able to fight it. He remained cancer-free for 10 frac12; years. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Joseph Bennett, and his sister, Lorraine Barker. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; sons, Walter Eugene (Darcy) Bennett of Churchhill, MT and Master Gunnery Sergeant Joseph (Kathie) Bennett of Camp Pendleton, CA; grandchildren, Niki and Jason of Camp Pendleton, CA, and Jon, Sam, and Anica of Churchhill, MT; siblings, Mary Nell (Dixie) Denton of Grants Pass, OR, Norma Noxon of Sun Valley, CA, Betty (Joe) Calderon of Half Moon Bay, CA, Diane (Rodney) Lenox of Simi Valley, CA, and Glen Bennett of Port Edwards, WI. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Bozeman Deaconess Hospice, 931 Highland Blvd., Bozeman, MT 59715. A graveside funeral with military rites will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 2, 2009 at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to meet at 1:45 pm at Dahl Funeral Chapel to process to the cemetery.