Henry A. Bennett, 75, of Burlington, achieved his eternal reward on Aug. 17, 2021, in the company of family and the Almighty Father.
Henry was born on Oct. 10, 1945 in Des Moines, Iowa and was the fourth of five children born to Percy and Agnes (nee Knight) Bennett. The family settled in Burlington in the late 1950s. Henry graduated from Burlington High School in 1964 and from Gateway Technical College in 1966, where he studied drafting.
Henry served with the United States Army in Vietnam as a Combat Engineer with the 168th Engineering Battalion. His unit served with a Special Forces detachment. He served alongside his brothers in arms in numerous battles, and his unit was in the center of the North Vietnamese Army’s axis of advance at the beginning of the Tet Offensive in the spring of 1968. He served in the Army from 1966-1968.
On May 25, 1968 Henry and Elaine Ketterhagen wed at St Mary’s in Burlington. The marriage produced two children, Christopher and Matthew.
In his professional life Henry worked for Rexnord, Modine, Drewco and other firms. Bennett finished his professional career working in industrial tool sales for JRM International in Rockford, Ill.
In the course of his time in Burlington, Henry was active with the Jaycees, until aging out. He maintained his membership with the VFW. He was a member of St. Mary’s, where he served as an usher and helped out during his sons’ tenure in the Boy Scouts. He coached Little League and served as a band parent with each of his sons at both St Mary’s Grade School and Burlington High School.
Henry is survived by Elaine, his wife of more than 53 years; sons Christopher (Rachel) and Matthew; grandchildren, Amelie (Thomas), Margaret and Eleanor; sisters Marilyn (Henry) Roth and Doris (Clarence) Gauger; and numerous members of large, extended families on each side.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert and Donald; along with several aunts, uncles, cousins and more.
The family expresses gratitude to the ER and ICU staff at Burlington Memorial, and to long-time neighbors, friends and family who helped in their hour of need.
Services are on Tuesday, Aug. 24. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until noon at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home. A mass of Christian burial is at 12:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, with military honors to follow. A luncheon will be served in Heim Hall at 1:30 p.m.
Well-wishers may visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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