Obituary of John Wilcox Bennett

John Wilcox Bennett, 89, passed away April 16, 2016 in American Fork, Utah. John was born in Bingham Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah, on February 2, 1927. His father Jonathon Eslie Bennett was a barber by trade, and his mother Alta Mae Wilcox was a homemaker. At the age of 6, they moved to American Fork. He was the only son in the family of four children. During his teenage years, he spent his summers helping to herd sheep in the Coalville area. He graduated form American Fork High School in 1945 where he was active in sports and was on the basketball team. He attended Brigham Young Academy for a short time before being inducted into the army in 1946. On January 22, 1947, he and Vida Ashton were Married in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their marriage was later solemnized in the LDS Salt Lake Temple. Upon release from the army, he and Vida moved to American Fork where he lived the remainder of his life. Shortly after moving back to Utah, he obtained employment at Geneva Steel working in the central maintenance department as a bricklayer rebuilding open hearth furnaces. He and Paul Mecham, a life-long friend, ran their own business on the side and built many houses and garages in the area. His career at United States Steel spanned 42 years. Upon his retirement, just for fun he drove a school bus for the Alpine School District for about 5 years. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints serving in many callings including a member of the bishopric. He was an ordinance worker in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple for many years, and was the stake director of the Family History Center for years. He and Vida served 2 missions for the church in Mobile, Alabama in the Florida/ Tallahassee Mission. It was the time of their lives. There they formed many lifetime friendships. He and Vida loved to travel and camp. They would haul their 16 foot Dalton camp trailer all over the United States including the east coast and Mexico. They particularly enjoyed visiting Yellowstone Park with many other family members and friends making choice memories. They also traveled to Europe and Hawaii. He loved sports and was an avid fan of many sports. In his younger days, he loved to hunt fish, and spend time in the out doors camping with family. He loved his family and greatly enjoyed his grand and great grandchildren. He loved to give all of his family member's nicknames which he used extensively. During his last two health-failing years, his family was his reason to keep on fighting. He loved life and strived to make the most of each day. We know he is having a sweet reunion with his wife, Vida (53 years) and all the dear ones in his life who have passed on. He spent the last 16 years pressing forward without his sweetheart. He is survived by his four children; Marcia Siebert (Johnny), Leslie John (Diane), Hal Marvin (Jamie), and Marty Scott, 14 grandchildren, and 48 great-grandchildren. Also surviving sisters: Zola Dupass, and Ada Mortensen (Craig), brothers-in-law; Allen Adams, Bruce Ashton (Helen), Williams Shaw, and Craig Mortensen (ada). He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Vida, sister LaVon, and 2 grandchildren. A special thanks go out to his Sister Zola Dupass, Butch McCandless a special friend and neighbor and encompass nurse Kerry Brown & the staff at Beehive House for their special loving care. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork 5th Ward, 391 South 300 East. A viewing will be held Friday 6-8 p.m. at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork and Saturday at the church 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial in American Fork Cemetery. Please share a memory at below.