Vando Virgil "Virg" Bennett

Vando Virgil Bennett, age 79, of Stevensville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 12noon, at Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Ave., St. Joseph, Michigan, with Pastor Brent Walker officiating. Friends may begin visiting with family at 11:00am. Memorial contributions may be made in Virgil's name to Peace Lutheran Church. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Born September 19, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, Virgil was the son of Vando Virgil Sr. and Margaret Louise (Grider) Bennett. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, especially with his brother and cousin, Glen. Virgil played baseball in the "prairie" next to his house, which were a few vacant lots. Virgil had one cherished memento, a signed baseball from "Junior's Tigers 1958," his undefeated little league team. He would sometimes recount having an entire large Hershey's chocolate bar and a bottle of Coke as a "regular" late night snack.

Virgil loved drag racing especially, if he was the one behind the wheel tearing up and down Archer Avenue, in anything he could find with 4 wheels. His stolen '67 Barracuda, was a particularly poignant tale…lifted while attending a drag race only to be found later, chopped.

In 1970 the draft board came calling. It was the middle of the Vietnam War and was likely he could be shipped Saigon way so, he got hitched to the young and beautiful Peggy Murray, before Uncle Same sent them off to Germany.

He received an Army Commendation Medal, with this quote from the 1st Armored Division, "Exhibiting professional competence, unusual initiative, and exemplary resourcefulness, he achieved optimum results in the performance of his complex duties." Specialist Four, Vando V. Bennett, should have known he was the one who typed up the citation.

During the go-go 80's, Virgil was lucky enough to strike it rich. Sadly, the good economic times didn't last.

Virg was an outgoing, cheerful presence. A man of many passions. Charming and charismatic yet, he could also be hot-tempered. He was kind-hearted, generous of spirit, and a notorious worry wart. His Donald Duck voice was always captivating to children.

His wife, Chris, was his rock this past year, taking care of Virgil through his final days. Witnessing his decline was sad and painful. However, he stayed surprisingly strong even one week before his death.

Virgil is survived by his wife, Christine "Chris" (Rinaldi) Bennett; children – Scott Bennett, Katy Farmer, and Erika Gaston; step-children – Megan Gasparovic, Lizzie Arcus, and Michael Dombrowski; grandchildren – Veronica Bennett, Autumn Bennett, Trinity Patric, Amara Patric, Trinity Bennett, Skylynn Gaston, Winter Gasparovic, Leon Gasparovic, Miles Farmer, and Dashiell Arcus. He was preceded in death by his parents; son – Richie Benett; grandson – Tristan Benett; granddaughter – Faith Gaston; and, brother – Wes Bennett.