After a long and fulfilling 89 years of life, Shirley Ann (Gross) Bennett peacefully passed away Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Wabash General Hospital surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Shirley was known for her kind, loving, caring and humorous personality and her strong will, unwavering determination, and love and support for her family.
She was born on January 3, 1936, the daughter of Frank and Gertrude (McKillip) Gross in Darlington, Wisconsin. In 1954, Shirley graduated from Darlington High School. On February 26, 1955, she married the love of her life, Donald H. Bennett at the First Methodist Church in Darlington.
Shirley was of the Methodist faith. Her career started with Charles L. Miller Insurance and retiring at the age of 82 from State Farm Insurance. She was an avid bowler, snowmobiler, bird watcher (especially hummingbirds), and was a devoted Aces football fan. Shirley enjoyed trips to Florida and to the “boat.” She loved her family dearly and adored spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Those left to cherish her memories are her three children, Vicki (Jake) Dunkel of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Carla (Bernie) Drone and Dean Bennett of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; grandchildren, Jennifer (Kevin) Adrian of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Curtis (Paula) Dunkel of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sabrina (Josh) Staub of Waterloo, Illinois, Samatha (Jake) Newkirk, Jake (Hilary) Drone and Joe (Kayla) Drone all of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; great-grandchildren, Adam and Harrison Dunkel, Elyse Adrian, Ruby, Aleah, Hattie and Asa Newkirk, Amelia, Isabella, Viviene, Valarie and Savannah Staub, Hazel and Josie Drone, and Joe and Kayla Drone’s baby due in August; and siblings, Bob (Laura) Gross of Dodgeville, Wisconsin and Connie Killcoyne of Cameron, Wisconsin.
Preceding Shirley in death were her parents; husband, Don of 60 years of marriage; grandson, Adam M. Dunkel and sister, Jannette Johnson.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025, in the chapel of Short-Cunningham Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. with burial following beside her loving husband, Don.
Visitation is being held Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., the time of the service.
Memorials can be made to Mt. Carmel Shelter Buddies or Wabash General Hospital Foundation. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
A special thank you to Kay Rutter, Beth Ligon, Christy Kieffer, Logan Ackerman and the staff of Residential Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.
Condolences may be sent to www.short-cunninghamfh.com Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bennett family.
