M. Laverne Bennett

CHARLESTON, IL– Laverne Bennett, age 84 of Charleston, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday,July 24, 2013 while a patient at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, WI.  Services honoring and celebrating her lifewill begin at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Adams Funeral Chapel with PastorDavid Colvin officiating.  Visitation forfamily and friends will be held Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until Service time.  Interment will follow in Kickapoo Cemeterylocated south of Charleston.   It isrequested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Activity Fundat either the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon or Homestead Care Center inNew Holstein, WI.  Gifts may be left onthe memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams FuneralChapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. 

Mildred Laverne Bennett wasborn on May 13, 1929 in Champaign County, IL and was a daughter of the late JamesWillis and Leona (Huffman) Ogden.  Shemarried Lawrence E. Closson on May 27, 1947 and later married James W. Bennetton March 10, 1969.  He preceded her indeath on June 22, 1991.  She is survivedby her children, Jim Closson and wife Linda of Columbia, SC, Larry Closson andwife Peggy of Springfield, IL, Linda Brazzell of Charleston, and Lana Smith andhusband Hank of New Holstein, WI; eight grandchildren, Leanne Burt of Columbia,SC, Jennifer Mason of Lenexa, KS, Robert (Amy) Smith of St. Cloud, FL, Britt(Peggy) Smith of Kiel, WI, Spencer (Jo) Brazzell of Mattoon, Angel (John) Janesof St. Cloud, FL, David Closson of Charleston and Melissa (Tory) Harley of NewLondon, CT; 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; twobrothers, Pete (Beverly) Ogden and Dick Ogden, all of Mattoon; and numerousnieces and nephews and their families.  Inaddition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by six sistersand eight brothers. 

Laverne worked at severalarea nursing homes in the dietary and housekeeping departments and for manyyears was a nanny for the Tomshack family in Charleston.  Laverne loved her home, tending to herbeautiful flower gardens and feeding and watching the birds.   She was a woman of faith and her liferadiated a goodness and sweetness that was genuine and heartfelt.   She was always polite and treated otherswith respect and kindness and those qualities did not go unnoticed.  Many acknowledged and were appreciative ofher kind and gentle demeanor.  She wasthe matriarch of her family and was dearly loved and admired by all herchildren and grandchildren – they shared a very special bond.  They enjoyed spending time at her house whichshe made a warm and inviting home for all who visited.  She led by example and all who knew Laverne willforever treasure the many loving kindnesses which she extended to them.