MUNCIE - Vetchell May (Sue) Bennett went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, IN on Sunday afternoon, January 31, 2010 following a period of declining strength and health. In the days prior to her passing, she had expressed to her family members and friends her desire to have her suffering be over and to depart and be with the Lord. Today we rejoice in the knowledge that she has passed the barrier of time as we know it and is forever at home with the Savior she faithfully served for 80 years.
Sue, a daughter given by the Lord to Floyd and Reba Criswell, was born in Jamestown, Tennessee on July 25, 1929. Before moving to Indiana, Sue attended York High School in Jamestown where she was a member of one of the first women''s basketball teams in Fetress County. She moved to Muncie, Indiana in 1947 at the age of 18. It was there that she met her loving husband of 54 years, Robert Bennett. Together, they lived a life full of adventure, travel, and pride in family. She spent many of her adult years as a homemaker, lovingly raising and caring for her family. Robert preceded her death seven years previously.
Sue was a true believer in Christ and was a member of Sound the Alarm Church. She loved bowling and challenging her grandchildren to a game of H.O.R.S.E. on her driveway basketball goal. She could often be heard picking her guitar and singing her favorite songs at family outings. She also loved to exercise her mind with games such as scrabble or by completing her daily cross word puzzles. Her humor was contagious. Her laugh was often heard and still echoes in the family, especially through her children. She knew what she believed in life and was fearless in expressing it. Full of energy and spunk, her contagious spirit will forever live within the hearts of those who were blessed to know her.
Sue''s greatest joy was her family and the wonderful accomplishments that they have seen in their lives. She is survived by a son, John Bennett of Fishers, IN and two daughters, Lynda Stoner (husband Earl) and Vicki Duncan (husband Wally) both of Muncie, IN. Better known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Mamaw, she is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Shawn Stoner (wife Anne Marie) of West Hills, CA; Christina Norman (husband Casey) of Muncie, IN; Susanne Hanks (husband Christopher) of Fishers, IN; Stephanie Hastings (husband Mark) of Fishers, IN; Justin Duncan of Denver, CO; and Jeremy Duncan (wife Brandy) of Farmland, IN. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren, two brothers: Paul Criswell of Muncie, IN; Bill Criswell of Interlachen, Florida; and two sisters: Mary Beatty and Martha Davis of Jamestown, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, one brother: Haskell (Toots) Criswell, and two sisters: Evelyn Zelinsky and Sarah June Criswell.
At Sue''s request, private services will be held at the Garden View Funeral Home, Thursday, February 4 at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sue''s honor to the National Parkinson''s Foundation at www.parkison.org. If you would like to sign the online guest book and send condolences to the family, you may do so by visiting www.gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com
Vetchell May (Sue) Bennett lived a life wrapped in the love of Jesus. We celebrate the culmination and crowning achievement of her life - Mamaw''s Homecoming.