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Leon Frank Bennett III

DAYTON, N.Y. — Leon Frank Bennett III, 79, of Dayton, passed away Thursday, Feb, 13, 2020, at Mercy Hospital.

He was born April 24, 1940, in Bradford, Pa., the son of the late Leon F. Jr. and Phyllis (LaDow) Bennett.

He was a graduate of Gowanda Central School, class of 1958, as well as Alfred Tech and the University of Georgia. On Oct. 19, 1968, Mr. Bennett married the former Ruth Miller who survives.

He started working for Farner and Parker Inc. packing cheese and then joined the U.S. Army where he served in the Korean and the Vietnam Wars. Following Farner and Parker’s closing, he began working for Upstate Farms in Jamestown and Buffalo, where he retired from in 1976. He then joined the U.S. Army Reserve and participated in Operation Desert Shield, and earned the rank of staff sergeant, and retired after more than 21 years.

Mr. Bennett also enjoyed hunting, fishing, cutting wood, reading and watching documentaries. He was a life member of James. J. Cruden Veterans of Foreign War Post 5007 and member of American Legion Post 409, both of Gowanda, as well as a former member of the Cooties.

Besides his loving wife of 51 years, he is survived by three daughters; Elizabeth Bennett of Wichita, Kans, Leona (John) Freeman of Copperas Cove, Texas, and Kirstie (Jeffrey) Klar of Cattaraugus, N.Y. Also survived by a sister, Milene (Carl) Johnson of Warren, Ohio; and seven grandchildren; Aiden and Savannah Calkins, Emma Klar, Alexander, Jace, Wyatt and Garrett Freeman; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Besides his parents, he is predeceased by grand- parents, Minnie (Gilmore) LaDow, Egburt Farner, Gerald LaDow, and Leon F. (Carrie Bishop) Bennett; and uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Friends may call on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Mentley Funeral Home Inc., 105 E. Main St. in Gowanda. Funeral services with military honors will immediately follow at 1 p.m. from the funeral home.

Burial will be in Cottage Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Dayton Historical Society.