Last modified: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 10:25 AM PDT

Donald Lee Bennett
Jan. 20, 1930-Sept. 6, 2009

New Plymouth

Donald Lee Bennett, age 79, of New Plymouth, passed away Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009 at Holy Rosary Medical Center. A visitation and vigil for family and friends will be held Wednesday, Sept.9, 2009 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Mass of a Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Fruitland with Fr. Calvin Blankinship as celebrant.

 Services and arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, New Plymouth.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.

Don was born on January 20, 1930 in Orofino, Idaho to Floyd and Helen Bennett. He enlisted in the United States Navy on March 30, 1948 and served on the USS John A. Bole destroyer. Don was honorably discharged on February 28, 1952. Don married Beverly Stuart on Sept. 17, 1950 and together they had three daughters, Gail, Terri, and Pam. Don followed his childhood dream of being a truck driver. He drove for NACA and Parsons trucking for 40 years.

He married Mary Saldana on Jan. 3, 2005 in Payette. They have since made their home in New Plymouth. Don enjoyed traveling, coin and antique model car collecting.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Bennett; three daughters, Gail (Steve) Keller of Nampa, Terri (Moodey) Gross and Pam (Alan) Ball all of New Plymouth; three sisters, Karen (Larry Peterson, Anita (Tom) Stephens and Gerri Fred) Hasch; seven step-children; 32 grandchildren including Heather Phillips, Tiffany Patterson and Ryan Ball; 36 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded by death by his mother, Helen Carpenter, step-father Larry Carpenter, wife, Beverly, and father,  Floyd Bennett.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donors choice, care of, Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, PO Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.