Charles Bennett

TAMMS, Ill. --Charles J. Bennett, 89, of Tamms passed away at 7:50 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, at home.

He was born May 7, 1930, near Thebes, Illinois, the son of Harry and Margaret Edmundson Bennett. He was married April 6, 1951, to Emma Dell Hazelwood.

Charles served his country in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He then started his career as a livestock dealer with his father.

His true passion was serving Southern Illinois for over 50 years as a real estate broker and auctioneer. If you ever talked to Charley, you heard "here, have a pen." Thousands of his pens are all over the region.

He was a longtime member of Tamms Baptist Church.

Survivors are his wife of 68 years, Emma Dell Bennett; daughter, Marsha (Lex) Bledsoe; sons, Roger Dale Bennett and Edward G. (Deana) Bennett; grandchildren, Brandon Bledsoe (Mandi Clover), Blake Bledsoe and Seth Bennett; sister, Hazel Vaughn; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jack Bennett, and four sisters, Mary Chester, Ella Needy, June Plumb and JoAnn Benefield.

Visitation was Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. today at the funeral home, with Michael Vaughn and Bob Kirby officiating. Interment, with a flag presentation by the Illinois National Guard, will follow at St. John's Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Mount Zion Cemetery. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.