Jack W. Bennett's Obituary
Jack William Bennett, 84, of Alliance, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, October 31, 2007, at his home. He was born on February 26, 1923 in Youngstown, and lived in Alliance most of his life. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Youngstown and attended Youngstown University majoring in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Bennett was a veteran of U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Obtaining Sergeant in the 355 Air Engineering Swadron, 87th Air Service Group, 58th Bombardment Wing, he was stationed on Tinian and flew missions over the hump in India. Jack was a radio operator and mechanic in the air offensive in Japan, China, India and Burma. Among his awards, he received the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, with 3 Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal. He was a member of the Union Avenue United Methodist Church. Jack worked for the Alliance Manufacturing Company (Genie) for 39 years in the research and development department, working on garage door openers and rotators. He was instrumental in the development of the Genie garage door opener. He was an active member of the FISTS Club (The International Morse Code Preservation Society), the Alliance Amateur Radio Club and the Noah Weather Radio (Sky Warn). From his teens he was a radio amateur and was known as W8WEN all over the world. Actively involved with the Ham Radio Club, he gave demonstrations about Morse code and Ham Radio at local events and was also a participant in Mock Emergency Drills. Jack loved spending time with his grandchildren and enjoyed helping others and contributed much to the community in volunteer work with children. He was active in the Hot Stove League Baseball (DAV-50) and Cub Scout Troop 170 as well as Boy Scout Troop 50. He taught at Moonbase and Seabase for Science Club and at the Science Fairs. Jack is survived by his wife of 56 years, Martha (Seifarth) Bennett; three sons, Jeffrey S. Bennett of Alliance, Gregory A. (Denise) Bennett of Massillon and Bradley K. (Laura) Bennett of Copley; ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, William and Mildred (Schlegel) Bennett; and a sister, Mildred Bennett McCabe Bellinger. The family will receive friends at Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home on Monday, November 5, 2007 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. with Mr. Bennett s son, Bradley K. Bennett, officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by the Alliance American Legion Post 166 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1036, will follow at Highland Memorial Park.
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