John Carl Bennard III

BENNARD John Carl Bennard III, age 62, of Citrus Springs, Fla., previously of Oxford, passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2006 after a brief battle with cancer. John was born on September 17, 1944 to the late John Carl Bennard II and Jennie Merenda Bennard. He worked for The Oxford Public Works in Oxford for 22 years before moving to the Sunshine State to enjoy his pending retirement with his wife of 18 years, Karen Lee Rea Ryan-Bennard. Upon his move to Florida, John was employed by Wal-Mart in Homosassa, Fla. John was known for his wonderful sense of humor and practical jokes that he often played on his coworkers at Oxford Public Works. He enjoyed fishing and his beloved pets which included several cats and one dog. Besides his wife and his mother, John leaves behind four daughters, Jill Bostic, Beth Matthews, both of of Ft. Myers, Fla., Brooke (Ryan) Anderson of Seymour and Heather (Ryan) Smith of St Petersburg, Fla.; six grandchildren, Michael Bostic, Elise and Clayton Matthews, all of Ft Myers, Ryan and Holly Smith of St Petersburg, Fla. and Avery Anderson of Seymour; two brothers, David A. Bennard Sr. of Oxford and his wife, Debbie and Gary J. Bennard of Madison and his wife, Lorraine; and one sister, Jean E. Bennard of Seymour; as well as five nieces and three nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Citrus County, 3350 West Audubon Park, Lecanto, FL 34461. A memorial service will be held at a later date.