Longtime Hartland Resident and U.S. Veteran Dies at Age 93

James Francis Bennett, age 93 of Hartland, passed away on November 28, 2013.

The Howell native lived in Hartland for more than 40 years and was a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa tribe. He had previously been a member of the veteran post in that area until it became too difficult to travel to the Traverse City area for meetings, according to a previous story.

In 2012, Bennett led the Hartland Memorial Day parade at the age of 91. Bennett, who served in the Army from 1942-46, principally operated the radar for an anti-aircraft gun during his service that included going to Japan as the war ended. He later worked at the proving grounds in Milford for General Motors for 36 years.

Bennett had a big impact on the Hartland American Legion Post 415, organizing a American Indian spiritual ceremony into the services at Hartland Cemetery about four years ago.

Husband to Ione whom he married on February 23, 1962, Bennett was also father of Alice Schmidt of Durand, Aileen Wright of Swartz Creek, Arnold (Ruth Ann) Bennett of Beaverton, step-father of Terry (Carol) VanBlaricum of Spokane, WA, Nancy (James) Richardson of Hartman, AR, Dennis VanBlaricum of Fenton and Steve VanBlaricum of Howell as well as proud grandfather of ten; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.