Norbert Bennett

September 26, 2018

Norbert Nelson Bennett was born March 6, 1918 in Johnstown, Penn. and died in Jacksonville on Sept 19.
For many years his goal was to reach the age of 100 and he made it.

Born to Arthur James Bennett and Mary Ellen (Roddy) Bennett, Norbert was the eldest of 5 children, Robert, Betty, Doris and Wayne.

He married Christine Patricia (Pat) Shanahan May 19, 1940 and welcomed daughter Mary Karen in 1943. He loved to tell the story of the 8 Shanahan girls, the most beautiful girls in town, and how he got the very prettiest. He saw her walk into a room and said, “That’s the girl for me!”

During WWII, he tried to enlist but the draft board said his job as a machinist in a steel mill was much more valuable to the war effort. Later in life, Norbert managed automotive parts stores.

When Pat died in 1983 he moved to Pasadena, Texas to reside with Mary and her husband H. V. (Hank) Jones.
In 1993 the three moved into the historic Jones’ family log home, built in 1852, while building their home on the Jones farm.
Mr. Bennett was a proud and active member of the Nan Travis Hospital Auxiliary for nearly 20 years.

He also assisted Mary delivering lunches for Meals on Wheels until into his late 90’s.

Those he loved and left behind are daughter Mary, her husband H.V. Jones; granddaughter Kristen and husband Mark Vasquez; grandsons Matthew Geisler and wife Angela; Brian and wife Sandi Jones, great grandchildren Bennett and Alexandra Vasquez; Cory, Camden and Clay Geisler; Jacob, Jon and wife Caity Jones and great great grandchildren Beau and Saylor Jones; and many nieces and nephews and the H. V. Jones family.

A memorial service celebrating his 100 years will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Dialville United Methodist Church in Dialville. Officiating will be Pastor John Hawkins.

Norbert had expressed a desire for no flowers but memorials be made in his name to the Friends of the Jacksonville Animal Shelter at 601 Woodlawn Drive, Jacksonville, TX 75766.