Reverend Dwight Luther Bennett passed away in his home near Orangeville, IL on Sunday, May 1, 2016, at the age of 89. Dwight was born in Pioneer, OH on May 20,1926. Dwight spent his early years in northern Ohio, where his father was a pastor in the Evangelical United Brethren Conference. He graduated from Hopewell-Loudon High school in Bascom, OH. In 1944, he entered the Navy and served as one of the many occupational forces in Japan. Upon return in 1946, he studied for the ministry at Bob Jones University, where he met Kathryn Busjahn. Dwight married Kay in Monroe, WI on August 25, 1948. In his junior year, Dwight and two other students started the Boulevard Baptist church in Greenville, SC. Dwight served as the pastor until his graduation in 1950. Following graduation the couple were commissioned as missionaries to Japan under The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) from 1950 until 1961. Dwight served in tent evangelism and later in a church-planting role. After their return home, Dwight served as the director of the Greater Freeport Area Youth for Christ from 1962-1967. During the summer of 1972, he and his son David returned to Japan for two months to serve at Matsubarako Bible Camp. Dwight also served as pastor to the Orangeville Bible Church, Monroe Bible Church, Faith Evangelical Free Church of Monroe and Senior's Pastor at the Evangelical Free Church of Lena. Dwight was a great man of prayer, a student of God's word and a powerful evangelist. He served the Lord in ministry for 65 years. He was a WWII veteran a Navy Boxer, a basketball player, a pilot, a world traveler, a student of Japanese, a friend to missionaries, a loving husband, an example to his children, a friend to the lost and a man that loved the rolling hills of northern Illinois. Friends recall he was loved by everyone that knew him. He walked with God.

Dwight is survived by his children: Carolyn Hatch (Larry) of Bowling Green, OH, David Bennett (Myrna) of Colorado Springs, CO, Duane Bennett (Kay) of Monroe, WI, and Daryl Bennett (Vicki) of Winslow, IL, and grandchildren Nicole Gross (Randy), Josh Bennett (Rachel), Jens Hatch (Melissa), Melissa Andres (Dan), Jason Bennett, Jared Hatch (Emily), Katie Hatch, Justin Hatch and twelve great grandchildren; sister-in-law Marcene Eshelman (Frank) and brother-in-law Bill Hills.

Dwight is preceded in death by his wife Kathryn Bennett (married 67 years), infant brother Duane Seeley Bennett, brother Waldo Bennett, sister Winona Bennett, father Townsend Wesley Bennett and Mother Elsie May (Taylor) Bennett.

The family wants to thank Tina Straws and Hospice Care of America for the loving care given to our parents.

The visitation will be held at the Evangelical Free Church, 720 N. Freedom St. Lena, IL, 61048, Friday, May 6, from 5-8 PM. A celebration-of-life service will be held at the Evangelical Free Church, Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 11 AM. Internment will be at Rock Lily Cemetery, Winslow, IL followed by a luncheon at the Evangelical Free Church, Lena.

A fund has been established with TEAM mission in Dwight memory.