----Source: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 edition of the Tribune - Record - Gleaner (Greenwood, Wis.)

Meril Bennett

Meril Bennett, age 67, of Owen, died Friday, April 16, in the Palliative care Unit of St. Joseph' s Hospital in Marshfield.

Meril Robert Bennett was born on Nov. 29, 1936 in Alma Center, the son of Leland and Twila (Hill) Bennett. He attended school in Alma Center and Merrillan and then entered into the United States Army serving during the Korean War. After his discharge from the Service he lived in Phoenix, Ariz. and moved to the l_ongwood area in the early 1980's. On June 3, 1983 he was united in marriage to Donna McDonald. Meril loved auctions, yard sales and fishing. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Meril is survived by his wife, Donna; one step-son, Jason (Kristina) McDonald of Atlanta, Georgia; two step- daughters, Barbara (Kevin) Hale and Sheri (Travis) Hale both of Neillsville; six step-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Teresa Bennett of Neillsville; and two nephews, Dennis Bennett of Neillsville and Rick Bennett of Wisconsin Rapids. He will also be dearly missed by his best friends Eddy and Milda Rongish from Phoenix, Ariz.

He was preceded in death, by his parents and siblings, Leland, Twila, Ira and Harold.

A Memorial Service for Meril will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 22, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Douglas Bjerke will officiate.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Meril's family with funeral arrangements.