Talbert Marvin Bennett

Talbert Marvin Bennett, age 84, of La Grande, died Sunday, September 28, 2003 at a local care facility.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 3, 2003 at the Summerville Cemetery Chapel followed by full military honors and interment in the Summerville Cemetery.

Mr. Bennett was born on February 10, 1919 in La Grande, Oregon, the son of Bird A. and Amanda J. (Rollins) Bennett. On August 14, 1940 he married Maurine Westenskow in Weiser, Idaho. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp on August 14, 1942 and served three years attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He flew forty missions as a ball-turret gunner in a B-24 bomber in the Pacific Theatre in the 7th Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Soldiers Medal for Valor.

After his honorable discharge from the military he and his wife and son moved to Wallowa, Oregon where he drove logging truck for several years. In 1955 he and Everet Dixon formed the logging company of Dixon and Bennett and logged for the mills in Wallowa and Union for 17 years. Outside of 6 years in Union, he lived in Wallowa for 35 years. He worked 11 years as a timber buyer for Rogge Mills and helped them with operations when the mill started in 1975. They moved to La Grande in 1987.

Mr. Bennett loved going to his place at Promise to work and hunt. He managed his trees and raised fish for the enjoyment of others. He also raised Angus and Appaloosas. He was a charter and life member of the Enterprise Elks Lodge #1829 and served as a trustee for several years. He was a life member of the V.F.W. #2990, a member of the Eagles Lodge and the American Legion Post #72. He was an avid trap shooter and belonged to the Amateur Trapshooting Association as well as The Pacific International Trapshooting Association. He traveled to most of the Northwest shoots, as well as going to Arizona for the winter chain of shoots for 14 years in his motor home. He won many events and garnered many trophies and made many friends. He was inducted into the Oregon State Amateur Trapshooting "Hall of Fame" on April 19, 1997.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Maurine Bennett of La Grande; son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Wendy Bennett of La Grande; son, Terry Bennett of Omaha, Nebraska; twin grandchildren, Chad and Dana Bennett; sister, Dillie Miller of La Grande; many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Bennett to the Oregon Heart Association or the Charity of Choice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850. To view the obituary, sign the guest book or leave a condolence visit: www.danielschapel.com