of Batesville, AR

April 11, 1939 - October 2, 2016

John Bennett of Batesville, Arkansas passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife by his side, Sunday, October 2, 2016. Faith, family and friends have been the motivation for John's life.

Born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he was the son of William Marvin Bennett and Mary Ellen (Gearhart) Bennett.

He attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and the University of Missouri in St. Louis. John's early career was in the field of medical technology, managing medical laboratories in Missouri. He served at state and national levels in medical technology professional organizations and was the recipient of many awards and honors. He was employed by Abbott Laboratories and worked in the marketing division receiving numerous sales awards and was promoted to regional and area management positions.

After moving to Arkansas, he became broker/owner of Batesville Realty. He was designated as a Million Dollar Sales Person. He was a member of the Arkansas Real Estate Board and at one time served as chairman.

John was active in a number of the athletic programs at Lyon College, and served as president of the Booster Club. He coached and taught tennis and worked with the APPLE project. John enjoyed playing tennis, achieving numerous honors and awards. He was a Rotarian serving in numerous positions including president. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Batesville, and was always active in the Baptist churches where he lived, serving as deacon, Sunday school teacher and on various church committees.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, of Batesville; two daughters, Dawn McCoy and her husband, Brad, and children, Bryan and Kayleigh of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Tracy Royer and her husband, Greg, and children, Laurel and Heidi of Fulton, Missouri; one niece; and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Lou Bennett Meinz; brother, Bill Bennett; and niece, Brenda Meinz Shaw.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 8, 2016, at the Roller-Crouch Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Stacy Reed and Eddie Cox officiating.

Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Jenkins, Bryan McCoy, Brad McCoy, Greg Royer, Jim Jones and Fred Wann.

Honorary pallbearers are John Ed Smith, Terry Garner, Ken Bolton, Carl Lueker, Dr. Mark Hopkins and Chris Leonard.

Visitation is from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, at the funeral home prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, Central Arkansas Area Command, 1111 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201; the American Heart Association, 909 W. Second Street, Little Rock, AR 72201; and the church of your choice.

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