Bennie L. Bolden

Bennie Bolden, 86, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois passed away Friday, February 28, 2020 at Oakview Heights Continuous Care and Rehab Center in Mt. Carmel.

He was born on September 25, 1933 in Wabash County, Illinois; the tenth child of William and Mamie Agnes (Carr) Bolden. Bennie married Joann Schmitt on Tuesday, December 29, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mt. Carmel. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage before her death on January 24, 2015.

Bennie served his country in the United States Navy for four years, from 1953 to 1957. He served on the USS Intrepid stationed in San Diego, CA.

Bennie was a member of the Elks, Eagles, VFW and lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He retired from Snap-On Tools in 1993 as a Supervisor. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed collecting coins, vegetable gardening, fishing and golfing. He enjoyed bowling as well and managed the bowling alley for a time in the 1960s. He loved spending time with his family especially those that called him “Grandpa”.

Bennie is survived by his daughter, Donna Lea and husband Ron Martin of Allendale; three grandchildren, Cody A.J. and wife Bethany Martin of Vincennes, IN, Lindy Marie and husband Thomas Parkes of Lawrenceville, IL, and Brady Lee Martin of Mt. Carmel; four great grandchildren, Havyn Stella Martin, Hadleigh Belle Parkes, Sawyer A.J. Parkes, Oliver Christopher Martin and Silas Eugene Martin “on the way”; a brother, John William Bolden and a sister Nellie Lucille Haywood.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mamie; wife, Joann; siblings, Gertrude Siebert, Harriett Singer, B. Edward Bolden, Clyde Chester Bolden, Floyd Eugene Bolden, Dallas Bolden, Claude Lester Bolden, and Charles Waldo Bolden.

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 10:00 am until 12 noon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 125 W. Fifth Street, Mt. Carmel, IL. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 noon March 4, 2020 at the church. Burial with Full Military Rites will be after Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Poplar Street in Mt. Carmel.

In lieu of flowers and mementos the family asked that donations be made to St. Mary’s School Scholarship Fund, 125 W. 5th Street, Mt. Carmel, Il.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Bennie’s family.

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