Donald Alvin "Doc" Bennett, of Vienna, was born on January 4, 1926, at Des Moines, Iowa, a son of Floyd H. and Grace (Foster) Bennett, and departed this life at 7:45 p.m., on Saturday, January 28, 2017, in the Maries Manor Care Center, Vienna. Don had attained the age of 91 years and 24 days.

Don was united in marriage on May 24, 1951, at San Antonio, Texas, to the former Miss Irma Lee Namanny, who preceded her husband in death on November 9, 2002. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gene Bennett and Clair Bennett; one nephew, Gregory Donald Bennett; and one great-nephew, Paul Bennett.

On February 3, 1943, at Des Moines, Iowa, Don entered into active federal service in the Navy of the United States and served until May 24, 1946, when he was honorably discharged at Corona, California, at the rank of Pharmacist Mate Third Class. Don was later called back into active service on March 1, 1951, at Des Moines, Iowa, due to the Korean Conflict, and served until June 1, 1951, when he was released from service at Corpus Christi, Texas. During his naval career, Don's service included serving at numerous duty stations and aboard the USS South Dakota, and was entitled to wear the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with one Silver Star, the Victory Medal World War II, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. A man of excellent character, his "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to our country during World War II and the Korean Conflict.

Don was a 70 year member of the American Legion Post 510, Farnhamville, Iowa, and a member of POCI Pontiac Car Club. Activities he especially enjoyed included drag racing, NASCAR, attending car shows, his pet cats, and going to the coffee shop and the Vienna Senior Citizens Center . He and his wife moved to California in 1963, where he was employed by Community Pontiac Dealership, Whittier, California, as an auto mechanic for thirty years, retiring in 1993, when he and his wife moved to Vienna, Missouri, the same year for their retirement. Don's annual car show at his home in Vienna became a much anticipated event for twenty years.

Those left to mourn the passing of Don include: Sister-in-law, Irene VanPatten; and niece, Barbara Jo Gregg, both of Farnhamville, Iowa; sister-in-law, Louise Bennett; nephew, Korbey Canuto and wife, Crystelle; and great-nephews and nieces, Ashton, Nakoma, Marley, Claire, Zoe, and Kingston, all of Vienna; nephew, Tony Bennett and wife, Diane; niece, Tammy Daniele; and great-nieces, Amanda McKelvey and Lauren McKelvey; all of Farmington, New Mexico; niece, Tracy Helton and husband, Roger, Vienna; sister-in-law, Ann Bennett, Vienna; niece, Loann White and husband, Bob, Phoenix, Arizona; and great-nephews and nieces, Nathanial Nelson and Joshua Nelson and wife, Meghan , all of Phoenix, Arizona, and Rachel Perry and husband, Robert, Des Moines, Iowa; great-nephew and niece, Brian Bennett and Lisa Bennett, both of the state of California; niece, Dawn Patricia Davis and husband, Jeff, Phoenix, Arizona; and great-niece, Michelle, Kansas City; nephew, Gene Douglas (Speed) Bennett and wife, Lisa, state of Washington; nephew, Scott Edward Bennett and wife, Elva, Vienna; and great-nephew and nieces, Jolie, Kelly and Adam, Phoenix, Arizona; nephew, Christopher Lynn Bennett and wife, Donna; and great-nephews and nieces, Nicole, Alicia, and Ryan, all of the state of Virginia; and many other relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested per the wishes of the family with envelopes available at the funeral home or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Missouri 65582.