63878_Bernard L. “Bernie”_Bennett
MASON CITY | Bernard Lloyd Bennett (Bernie), 82, of Shawnee, Kansas, died on Monday, July 21, 2014, at Shawnee Gardens Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.
Online condolences may be left at www.fullertonfh.com.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2014, with a one hour prior visitation at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E., Mason City.
Reverend Ron Stein from First Baptist Church will be officiating. Interment will follow at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.
Bernard was born Jan. 9, 1932, in Mason City, to Charles and Ruby Bennett. He grew up as the middle child of five children. He attended Mason City High School. Bernard entered the University of Iowa at age 16 on a football scholarship. He played halfback and fullback for the Hawkeyes. He was unable to play his favorite sport, basketball, or baseball either because those teams were not yet integrated. Bernard earned his Masters Degree at Iowa. Because Bernard helped integrate the University, he was a lifetime member of the Black Iowa University Alumni and cherished those friends and memories. In 1955-57 Bernard honorably served in the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. In 1957 he moved to the Kansas City area. Bernard taught physical education in the Kansas City, MO, School District for over 40 years. He was active in the Kansas City area as a football and basketball official throughout his lifetime. Bernard also coached Van Johnson baseball teams in the summer in Mason City. Bernard was a member of the I-Club of the University of Iowa, Iowa Foundation of University of Iowa, and Iowa Alumni Club. He held Hawkeye football season tickets and remained friends with his quarterback from the football team all his life. He has been selected as one of the 25 Best of Iowa Athletes. In August, he will also be inducted to the Mason City High School Hall of Fame.
Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Bradley Charles Bennett; several nieces and nephews; and other family and friends
Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E., Mason City, IA 50401, 641-423-8676 www.Fullertonfh.com.