Arlen Oliver Bennett, age 87, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends on June 17, 2024. He was born on February 12, 1937, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Oliver W. Bennett and Gertrude V. (Slocum) Bennett.
Arlen grew up in Cedarville, Michigan, and graduated from Cedarville High School with the Class of 1957. At the age of 20, he began working as an Operating Engineer for Local #324 and remained with them for 67 years. Embracing his passion for farming, he also ran a dray line business on Mackinac Island. Never afraid of the grind, he worked with his dad as part of Bennett and Sons Excavating.
Arlen was a devout member of the Rosedale Community Church, Bethel Lodge 358, and played a huge part in supporting the Shriners.
One Friday night in 1959, Arlen met his wife Donna in front of Kresges on the corner of Spruce and Ashmun. Fearlessly, he went on to ask her to the dance in Hessel, Michigan, where they grew their love of dancing to country music. They went on to have three children together; Cheryl, Arla, and Richard. He was in his glory cutting and baling hay on the family farm. He was also an avid deer hunter and ice fisherman with one of his catches making the display at the Cedarville bar. He and Donna spent their time traveling to horse pulls, going on cruises, traveling, and spending time with their family, especially their grandchildren.
Arlen is survived by his wife of 64 years, Donna; children, Cheryl (Jim) Warner of Goetzville,
Michigan, Arla Bennett of Sault Ste. Marie, Richard Bennett of Sault Ste. Marie; grandchildren, John Kramen, Jesselyn (Ben) Bourque, Brandon Warner, Samantha Pine-Bennett, Starr (Mat) Brown, Michaela (Matthew) Pine-Bennett, Brianna (Dalton) Pine-Bennett; great-grandchildren, Helena, Leland, Joseph, Oliver, Olivia, McKenna, Richard, Blake, Brooke, Lincoln, Layton; many nieces and nephews; and close friends, Melvin, Darryle, Craig, and Carrie.
Arlen was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Gertrude Bennett; sisters, Colleen (Billy
Jack) Stevenson, Melva (John) Williams; father and mother-in-law, Leland and Arbutus Mitchell; brothers-in-law, Jerry Mitchell and Leslie Mitchell; nephew, Brian Thompson; and son-in-law, Jim Brown.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Family Life Funeral Homes, 4951 S. M-129, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The Funeral Service will begin at 3:00 PM with a luncheon to follow.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
