Jesse E. Bennett, Jr

Rossville Jesse E. Bennett, 96, of Rossville, IL passed away peacefully August 5, 2022 at his home with his family by his side. He was a caring and loving person who will be missed.

Born in Hoopeston, IL on December 7, 1925 to the parents of Jesse (a WW I Veteran) and Adaline (Barcus) Bennett. He met the love of his live, Rhuey L. Bennett in 1943 and they were married on February 14, 1948 in a ceremony at her familys home.

He is survived by two sons, Sam (Gail) Bennett of Johnsburg, IL and Martin (Nicole) Bennett of Niederhasle, Switzerland; granddaughters, Jessalyn, Amy and Jennifer and grandsons, Robin and Luca.

Jesse is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Rhuey, daughter, LuAnn and sisters, Sylvia, Louise and Margaret and a half-brother, Bill.

During the summer of 1943 he worked as a student fireman on the EJ&E Railroad which is now CSX. In 1944 Jesse entered the Army and was first assigned as a glider pilot, then transferred to the Army Air Corp, where he served as a flight engineer, first on a B-24 Liberator, then a B-29 Super Fortress and finally on a B-17 Flying Fortress. At the conclusion of World War II, his crew was assigned "DAK" (Deny All Knowledge) missions deep into Eastern Europe. On their fourth mission, his plane was strafed by a Russian fighter, ultimately caught fire and the crew was forced to bail out into the Mediterranean Sea where they were rescued by the US Navy.

Upon returning from the war, he worked for the C&EI Railroad. In 1948 he was hired by Illinois Bell where he spent 37 years. After retirement from Illinois Bell, he became a locomotive engineer for the KBS Railroad. He served as a railroad historian for the Danville Junction Chapter of the NRHS. He was a Lifetime Member of the Rossville American Legion Post 733 and became Post Commander for a couple of years. He was also a member of the Danville VFW Post 728, and Telephone Pioneers where he served a President of the state chapter for two years.

Jesse enjoyed family, friends, traveling, dancing, history, model railroading, oil painting and gospel music. He loved his country and was proud to have served.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 15, 2022 at the Rossville United Methodist Church 116 Maple Street, Rossville, Illinois 60963. Pastor Chris Quick will officiate. Burial will be in Rossville Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by American Legion Post 210 Honor Guard. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022 from 3-7:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 61834.

Memorial may be made in Jesses memory to the Rossville United Methodist Church, the Danville Junction Chapter of the NRHS Rossville Museum, PO Box 1013 Danville, IL, 61832 to preserve the history of railroads in Vermilion County, or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516

Please join Jesses family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .