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Rev. Phillip "Jerry" Bennett Obituary
Reverend Phillip “Jerry” Bennett, 73, of Belleville, IL, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, MO. Jerry was born July 20, 1951, in Moline, IL. He was with family when he made the transition.
Jerry had multiple careers during his lifetime. He joined the Air Force at the age of 18 and after completing his military obligations, he worked for the Air Force in Panama as an Office Manager. Jerry returned to this area as an Office Manager at Scott Air Force Basse and later he managed the Belleville office of Thompson Coburn Law Firm.
Jerry always had a love for music and theatre. In midlife he chose to pursue a music degree and received his BA from SIU Edwardsville. Through all of this early career God was calling Jerry to pursue a spiritual path.
While working full time and supporting a family, Jerry attended Eden’s Seminary. In 1992 he graduated with a Master of Divinity. Jerry began serving a number of small churches in the area until he became the minister of Trinity UCC in Belleville. He served there for 15 years. Jerry left Trinity to join the staff of the Southwest Conference UCC where he served as Associate Pastor for the Conference.
In 2017, Jerry left his position to semi-retire and accepted a part-time ministry at St. Peter’s UCC in the small community of Hookdale, IL. Due to heath reasons, he retired in November 2024.
Throughout his years of ministerial work, Jerry continued to be an advocate of social justice, music, and theatre. Under the umbrella of the South Illinois Conference Jerry helped establish Puentes de Esperanza (Bridges of Hope) a program that helps Hispanic families with resources and assistance during hardships. He sang with Masterworks Chorale, and ensemble serving the Metro-East and St. Louis areas. Later Jerry helped organize and served as Business Manager for the Heartland Community Chorus, a popular ensemble of singers who strive to preserve chorale music through local concerts.
Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife of 38 years, Annie Bennett; his parents, J. Phillip and Barbara, nee Brand, Bennett; and a brother, Kenneth Bennett Akers.
He is survived by his wife, Bette, nee Gilchrist, Bennett;
a son, David (Rebecca) Bennett;
two stepchildren, Katherine (Max) Kleiboeker and Allen (Pam) Rotert;
10 grandchildren, Dylan Bennett, Devin Bennett (Rhaely Sharp),
Maranda (Camden) Batchelder, Kayla Bennett,
Shane Bennett, Savannah Kleiboeker,
William Rotert, Machenzie Kleiboeker,
Emma Rotert, and Skyler Kleiboeker;
a brother, Bruce (Milly) Bennett;
a sister, Michele (Terry) Neer;
a stepsister, Reesa (Kenneth) Douglas;
three nieces, Brigitte Bennett, Lindsey Roberts, and Tara (Josh) Kain;
two nephews, Joseph M. (Mary) Bennett, and Keith (Teresa) Neer;
many dear nieces and nephews from the Siebrands family;
and great-nieces and great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Heartland Community Chorus, PO Box 594, Highland, IL 62249, or Puentes de Esperanza, 8 Executive Drive, Suite 200, Fairview Heights, IL 62208. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Paul UCC, 115 West B Street, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Paul UCC, 115 West B Street, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Michelle Torigian officiating.
Cremation will follow with burial at Lake View Memorial Gardens at a later date.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Phillip, please visit our floral store. https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/34547499/rev.-phillip-%22jerry%22-bennett
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