Charlie H. Bennett

Leipsic

Charlie H. Bennett, 93, died at 8:16 a.m. Dec. 1, 2009, at St. Rita’s Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 6, 1916, in Leipsic to William and Maud Werner Bennett, who preceded him in death. On July 13, 1946, he married Edith Andrews, who died April 13, 1994. They were married for 47 years.

Mr. Bennett retired as an assistant postmaster from the U.S. Postal Service in Bowling Green. He was a life member of First Christian Church, Leipsic, where he was very involved, serving as a deacon and on various church committees. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, serving as a code breaker with the 415th Signal Co. Aviation in the Pacific Theater. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9547 and American Legion Post 287, both in Leipsic. He distinguished himself as a 70-year award recipient of the Free & Accepted Masons. He loved baseball and was an umpire for high school, college and semipro for 46 years. He served several years as a baseball rules interpreter for northwest Ohio. In June 1993, he was inducted into the Ohio High School Officials Hall of Fame. He was an avid sports enthusiast, who was a familiar fixture at the Leipsic ballpark and Liberty Lanes, where he bowled until he was 88. In 1977, he was voted into the Putnam County Bowling Association Hall of Fame. His greatest sports honor was in 2008, when the Leipsic council informed him the new sports complex would be named for him, with the dedication to be held in the spring of 2010.

Survivors include a son, Dr. David Bennett, of Toledo; a daughter, Susan (Mark) Piper, of Pittsford, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Ashley Piper and Ryan Piper; a sister, Marjorie Bennett, of Silver Springs, Md.; and several nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Bruce Bennett; and two sisters, Mary Bennett and Florence Noell.

Services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Christian Church, Leipsic. The Rev. Tim Eding will officiate. Burial will be in Sugar Ridge Cemetery, Leipsic, with military rites by VFW Post 9547 and American Legion Post 287.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until time of services Saturday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Charlie H. Bennett Sports Complex or the elevator fund at First Christian Church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Leipsic.