M. Laverne Bennett's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Laverne Bennett, age 84 of Charleston, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 while a patient at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, WI. Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Adams Funeral Chapel with Pastor David Colvin officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until Service time. Interment will follow in Kickapoo Cemetery located south of Charleston. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Activity Fund at either the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon or Homestead Care Center in New Holstein, WI. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Mildred Laverne Bennett was born on May 13, 1929 in Champaign County, IL and was a daughter of the late James Willis and Leona (Huffman) Ogden. She married Lawrence E. Closson on May 27, 1947 and later married James W. Bennett on March 10, 1969. He preceded her in death on June 22, 1991. She is survived by her children, Jim Closson and wife Linda of Columbia, SC, Larry Closson and wife Peggy of Springfield, IL, Linda Brazzell of Charleston, and Lana Smith and husband Hank of New Holstein, WI; eight grandchildren, Leanne Burt of Columbia, SC, Jennifer Mason of Lenexa, KS, Robert (Amy) Smith of St. Cloud, FL, Britt (Peggy) Smith of Kiel, WI, Spencer (Jo) Brazzell of Mattoon, Angel (John) Janes of St. Cloud, FL, David Closson of Charleston and Melissa (Tory) Harley of New London, CT; 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; two brothers, Pete (Beverly) Ogden and Dick Ogden, all of Mattoon; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by six sisters and eight brothers. Laverne worked at several area nursing homes in the dietary and housekeeping departments and for many years was a nanny for the Tomshack family in Charleston. Laverne loved her home, tending to her beautiful flower gardens and feeding and watching the birds. She was a woman of faith and her life radiated a goodness and sweetness that was genuine and heartfelt. She was always polite and treated others with respect and kindness and those qualities did not go unnoticed. Many acknowledged and were appreciative of her kind and gentle demeanor. She was the matriarch of her family and was dearly loved and admired by all her children and grandchildren - they shared a very special bond. They enjoyed spending time at her house which she made a warm and inviting home for all who visited. She led by example and all who knew Laverne will forever treasure the many loving kindnesses which she extended to them.
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