Eugene R. “Gene” Bennett, 87, of Seneca died on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

Gene was born on May 17, 1927 at Sabetha, Kansas to Ralph and Sylvia Phillips Bennett. Gene attended Victory Country School through the 8th grade and then he attended Sts. Peter and Paul High School. He helped Jake Anderson at the age of 15, and then he went to work for the Winterscheidt Milling until he was drafted into the military at the age of 18. Gene was drafted on February 7, 1945 and was discharged February 18, 1947 with the rank of Tech 4 Sergeant. After his service to his country, he came back to the area and went to work for Ray Droge Construction for a year and then he went to work for Seymour’s. After a short time, he went to work for SenVita Farms just east of Seneca for 2 years; and then he dairied and farmed the Louie Haefele place for 14 years. Gene then bought his own farm north of Kelly and ran it for 41 years where he milked and farmed the ground that he loved. Gene retired from dairying in 1992, but continued to farm until his death.

Gene was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church and the St. Joseph society. He was a very active member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War Military Funeral Detail for many years. He was trustee of Adams Township, and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1769 in Seneca and the Centralia Saddle Club. Gene was also a frequent at the local coffee shop ( i.e. McDonalds and Log Cabin). He also loved to horseback riding but his greatest joy in life besides his wife and kids were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; he loved going to their sporting events and just having them around him.

Gene married Patricia L. Schubert on May 24, 1948 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Ralph on May 15, 1992; his mother, Sylvia on February 19, 1984; a brother, William on March 6, 1937; and a sister, Alice Olberding on September 11, 1981.

Gene is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia; his children, Michael (Debbie) Bennett of Seneca, Carol (Eric) Buetzer of Topeka, Bonnie (Mike) Enneking of Hiawatha and Steve (Brenda) Bennett of Seneca; a brother, Larry Bennett of Green Valley AZ; a sister, Betty Lou Latta of McPherson, KS; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

The rosary will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM, Sunday, July 13, 2014, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM on Monday, July 14, 2014, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, with burial in the church cemetery.

Memorials in Gene’s honor may be given to COINS for a Cause, and sent in care of the family.