Jacquelyn R. Bennett

Jacquelyn R. “Jackie” Bennett of Ottawa Lake, MI, passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve, 2025, after a long, graceful, battle with cancer. Born December 9, 1937, in Toledo, Oh to Henry and Bernice Schiffer she lived her early years in Toledo, a 1955 graduate of Whitmer High School. In January 1958 she became Mrs. James Bennett, loving this to be her new identity and proudly introducing herself as such. A wife and mother were her favorite things to be. They built their life centered on family, laughter and love. Shortly after they were married, they made their home on an orchard in Ottawa Lake, MI. The orchard became more than a place where generations gathered, it became home. Our base camp, our home, young or old, this was where you go to feel at home.

Her days at home with seven kids were busy ones, she still found time for volunteering, it was something she absolutely loved, (maybe it was just to get her out of the house.) It started with Ladyfield School, then Mercy Hospital and on to the Ronald McDonald house where she was a mom to strangers when they needed one, for over 30 years.

There were not many people who didn’t like Jackie, she had an infectious laugh, at home with family, in a lawn chair at the lake, at holiday events and even in the hospital. She noticed everything and had a way of turning everyday life into something beautiful. She always made time to sit down, lean in and catch up on the drama. Those conversations mattered to her, this is how she stayed connected.

She loved reading and could finish a paperback in a day. Sweet treats were always around whether she was baking or sneaking trips to the bakery. They must have been somewhat of a preservative because at 88 years old she had no wrinkles. The true weakness may have been the lotto, but she enjoyed making friends in all the area carry-outs where she bought her favorite scratch-off tickets.

Summers at Devils Lake were cherished, always including an ice-cream stop on the way up. There she could sit for hours watching the lake and visiting with neighbors from the deck. Nothing could really bring Jackie down, even when life was heavy. Jackie’s life was made of laughter, love, and time, always time for one more story, one more conversation with one more person she cared about.

Jackie is survived by her husband, Jim; her children, Jane (Glen) Berry, Janis (Howard) Miller, Jim (Lisa) Bennett, and Jennifer (Jacob) Gross. Her Grandchildren; Joshua Bennett, Adam (Heather) Berry, Hans Miller, Jonathan (Abby) Bennett, Justin Berry (Cheryl), Christopher (Mindy) Ovall, Curt (Jessica) Ovall, Amanda (Kent) Cribbs, Nicholas Berry, Corey (Ashley) Ovall, Emily (Vince) Bagnato, Daniel Ovall, Samantha (Max) Wagenberg, Megan (Jeff) Macko, Andrew (Michelle) Bennett, Sarah Bennett, Joseph Bennett, Addie Gross, Julianna Bennett, Jude Bennett, Jonas Bennett & Avalon Gross. Also surviving are many great grand-grandchildren and her only surviving sibling, Mary Ricard. She was preceded in death by her daughter Jill E Morris, Sons, John R Bennett, and Jerome P Bennett.

In Lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. 

"A short visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at St. Anthony Church, located at 4605 Saint Anthony Rd, Temperance, MI 48182, starting at 9:00 AM. This will be followed by a Mass at 10:00 AM, with a burial procession to Whiteford Union Cemetery immediately following the Mass."

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