BENTON – Barbara Ann Bennett, age 78, of Benton, Illinois, passed away at 2:33 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2025, at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Funeral services will be held at noon Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Dean Severin officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home.
Barb was born on September 3, 1946, in Christopher, Illinois, the daughter of Kenneth Utley and Essie (Lunsford) Utley. She married Ernest James “Jim” Bennett on November 28, 1981, and together they shared 43 years of marriage. She worked as a manager for Bowlin’s Foodland (later Furlow’s) of Zeigler.
She was a member of the First Church of God in Benton.
Barb enjoyed sewing and going on drives in the country. Her family said everyday she had a time that she was to not be disturbed, that was during her favorite soap operas “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
Surviving is her loving husband, Jim Bennett of Benton, Illinois; her daughter, Tina Lampley and companion Roger Lampley of Benton, Illinois; a grandson, Ben Lampley and wife Courtney of Melbourne, Florida; an adopted grandson, Steven Lampley of Benton, Illinois; a brother, Bob Utley and wife Patti of Sesser, Illinois; in-laws including Diane Utley of Christopher, Illinois, Lynda Sanchez of Benton, Illinois, Marlene Webb of Benton, Illinois, Kingsley Bennett and wife Cathy of Ewing, Illinois, Rodney Bennett of Evansville, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her cat, Smokey.
Mrs. Bennett was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Kenny Utley.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Barbara, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.
