He was born on Nov. 23, 1955, at Fort Scott to Irvin and Marjorie (Jarboe) Bennett Sr. He grew up near Stark and attended Stark and Erie schools, graduating from Erie High School in 1973. He attended and graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg with a degree in automotive technology and Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee with a degree in diesel mechanics.
He moved back to Stark from Okmulgee, where he worked as a diesel mechanic for many years at Bennett Diesel.
He was affectionately known to family as “Little Irvin” and to his friends as “Swervin’ Irvin.” He loved cars and trucks. He loved working on cars and racing them. He raced at the dirt tracks at Humboldt and Yates Center. Irvin was a true “gearhead.” He was an avid NASCAR fan, and he when he wasn’t working on cars, racing, hunting or watching sports, he would be spending time spoiling his granddaughter. He also was proud of his community, serving on the Stark City Council and as mayor.
His survivors include his son, Nick Bennett, and his wife, Katie of Paola; his granddaughter, Payton Bennett of Paola; his parents, Irvin and Marjorie Bennett Sr. of rural Stark; two brothers, John Bennett, and his wife, Carla, and Michael Bennett, both of Stark; one sister, Marcia McCoy, and her husband, Mike, of Galesburg; nieces and nephews, Greg Bennett, and his wife, Krista, Sydney Ball, and her husband, Josh, Cassidy McCoy and Macy Bennett; a great-niece, Karlyn Bennett; and a great-nephew, Nathan Bennett.
Following cremation, there will be a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday at Stark Community Center. The family will have a private burial later at Mount Moriah Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Erie.
Memorials are suggested to Stark Community Center and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 303 N. Grant St., P.O. Box 182, Erie, 66733. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
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