(NOTE: The following is the combined obituary for both Theo and her husband, John, who passed away the same day)

John E. Bennett, 82, a longtime Osawatomie resident, died Friday, Oct. 7, 2005, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park.

Theo M. "Blondie" Bennett, 80, longtime Osawatomie and former Louisburg resident, died Friday, Oct. 7, 2005, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.

Mr. Bennett was born April 17, 1923, in the Pressonville community in rural Miami County, the son of Henry Clay and Rose Marie Morris Bennett. He grew up in the Pressonville and Stanton communities until moving with his family to Osawatomie. He attended school in Osawatomie.

He was married to Theo M. Myers on July 17, 1943, in Osawatomie. They became the parents of two children. After their marriage, they lived in Osawatomie.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and served in the European Theater with the 9th Army 512th Fighter Squadron. He was stationed in Germany, France, Belgium and Redding, England. He was honorably discharged in late 1945.

Mr. Bennett worked for Hayes Transit Mix in rural Paola throughout his working career with the exception of one year when he served as a police officer in Paola in the late 1940s.

He enjoyed racing, which he did from 1957 to 1964 at several nearby tracks, including Osawatomie, Paola and Ottawa, and Nevada, Butler and Westline in Missouri. He also enjoyed bowling and hunting quail and pheasants.

Mrs. Bennett was born Dec. 15, 1924, in Larned, Kan., the daughter of William Henry and Nora Effie Smith Myers. The family moved to Springfield, Colo., when she was very young. They moved from Colorado to several locations in Kansas before settling in Louisburg, then moving to Osawatomie to make their home. She graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1941.

After her marriage, she worked as a seamstress for Slim Line and Mode O'Day, both in Osawatomie, and Smith Garment Factory in Paola before being employed at King Radio until retiring.

She enjoyed crocheting afghans for her children and grandchildren. She was an avid reader of Louis L'Amour westerns.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were members of the First Baptist Church in Osawatomie. They took great pride in the church, which was a source of inspiration and happiness for them. Mr. Bennett drove the bus for the church for several years.

Together, they listened to country music, camped, went to conventions and helped with local events such as the John Brown Camp-out and with the Osawatomie Old Time Fiddlers and Pickers. They were members of the Twin Rivers Camping Club. They also enjoyed visiting with family and friends.

Preceding Mr. Bennett in death were a brother, William "Bill" Bennett, and four sisters, Barbara Hicks, Freda Herbert, Wanda Smith and Helen Westbrook.

Preceding Mrs. Bennett in death were three brothers, Clyde, Everett and Floyd Wendell, and a sister, Effie Jenkins.

Surviving are their two sons, John "Bill" Bennett of Edgerton and Danny Bennett of La Cygne; Mr. Bennett's brother, Pete Bennett of Paola; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Friends may call from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today (Monday) at Wilson and Son Funeral Home in Paola. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, and burial will follow in Osawatomie Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the church or the Osawatomie Pickers and Fiddlers Club in care of the funeral home, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS 66071.