Leo Waitman Bennett, 85, of Staunton went home to Heaven on Sunday (November 20th) at Augusta Health
Hospital surrounded by family. He was born in Staunton, VA on January 5, 1937, the son of the late Waitman and
Geneva (Wimer) Bennett.
Leo grew up and worked on the family farm in Pendleton County, WV. After marrying the love of his life, Ruby, in
1956 and starting a family, he often worked jobs that kept him away from home during the week. He would
return on the weekends to work the farm and be with his family. In 1969, he moved his family to Staunton, VA
after taking a job in the trailer shop at Smith’s Transfer. He worked there for twenty years until it closed in
1988. He went on to work and officially retire from Shickel Machine Shop. Even after retiring, he still worked
part-time at the Harrisonburg Auto Auction for several years. He was the kind of man who never knew when to
stop.
Leo was a loving husband of 63 years, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was an active member of
St. James United Methodist Church where he had many special friends. His passions included animals,
gardening, traveling to new places, fixing things, the daily crossword puzzles, putting
together jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with his family and friends. He also loved to talk about all the people
he had ever known or worked with, even if you didn’t always have a clue who he was talking about.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruby (Hevener) Bennett; sister, Virginia (Bennett) Rexrode;
brother-in-law, Junior Rexrode; and brother-in-law, John Lantz.
Leo will be greatly missed by his two children, Terry (Bennett) Smiley and husband, Jay, of Staunton, Jeff
Bennett and wife, LeAnn, of Lanexa; five granddaughters, Tina Smiley, Alyssa (Smiley) Moore and husband,
Brandon, Lauren (Bennett) Rothgeb and husband, Dakota, Rachael (Bennett) Poe and husband, David, Shelby
Bennett and wife Savannah; and four great-grandchildren, Harrison & Elizabeth Poe and Bennett & River
Rothgeb.
He is also survived by a sister, Irene (Bennett) Lantz; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews
A private burial will be held in Green Hill Cemetery. A Celebration of Leo’s Life will be officiated by Pastor Lester
Kennedy at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30th in the sanctuary of St. James United Methodist Church in
Churchville, VA. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. James United Methodist Church, PO Box 43,
Churchville, VA 24421.
Leo’s family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Augusta Health for the care and support provided
during his final days, Pastor Kennedy, the St. James Church family, and other close friends.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements