Joseph Henry Bennett, was in an ICU unit in Mississippi when he was received by his Lord Jesus on Saturday, January 22, 2022. His wife, daughter, and Bible class teachers were by his side and blessed to sing him into Heaven.

Joseph was born September 26, 1960 in Elgin, Illinois and moved with his family to California a few months later where he grew up surfing. His wife loving called him her “surfer dude”. He led a very full life and loved to teach everything he knew as he knew a lot about a lot.

Joseph had accepted the Lord as his Saviour years ago in his youth and his life emulated our Lord Jesus. His life was lived for Jesus Christ and he wanted everyone to go with him to Heaven.

A graduate of Edison High School, Huntington Beach, CA, he won multiple athletic awards and was an excellent baseball power hitter and first baseman. He enjoyed music and won several awards in band with the drums. He was a graduate of Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO. Joseph was in church ministry most of his life serving as Youth Pastor, Children’s Pastor, Young Married and College and Career Pastor.

He was a firefighter in the Sequoia’s of northern California with the Conservation Corp. In the dessert of California he was on staff with Teen Challenge. The Navy Seabees is where he spent several years as a steelworker. This took him many, mostly tropical locations around the world. As a Seabee, he obtained M-16 Rifle Expert, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Award, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and left the Seabees as an E-5.

He met his wife, Rexella, in Springfield, MO at United Baptist Church where her father was the pastor. They were married in 1988 by her father, Dr. Tom McGath. To this union, Lacey Dawn was born which was their gift from God and the joy of their life. He took Lace everywhere and taught her everything he knew. He loved to be involved in what interested Lacey. He was a great father that loved big when it came to his two princesses, his wife and daughter. Lacey is engaged to Dakota and Joseph loved him like a son and is so proud of the man he is and we are blessed.

Joseph owned and operated Springfield Lawn and Landscape for 12 years. He co-owned Beetle Banisher where his invention for Bees stopped them from being killed off. He and his family were wellness educators most of their married life and enjoyed teaching others. He was a member of the Springfield Area Herb Society where he taught many classes. He was an avid gardener and wild edible-medicinal teacher. He loved deep sea fishing, fly fishing and fishing in general. He and Lacey were founding members of White River Fly Tying club in Bass Pro. He loved hunting and trapping and loved teaching trapping classes.

He was very involved in politics and ran for Missouri State Representative in 2000 where he rode the campaign trail with Matt Blunt, John Ashcroft, GW Bush, and others running for office at that time. He won the Primary and lost the General Election by only 20% to a 10-year incumbent. Joseph was also on the detail to drive with the President of the United States and entourage. After losing 8 different retirements throughout his life. His heart became about his retirement in Heaven and bringing as many as possible with him.

Joseph was preceded in death by Duane Bennett (brother), John Bennett (brother), Berthella Taylor (grandmother), Jimmy Taylor (uncle). He is survived by his wife of 33.6 years, Rexella; daughter, Lacey Dawn; Dakota Spencer, soon to be son-in-law; Hazel Lynch, mother; Shirley Garrison, aunt; Cherine Marcus, aunt. Siblings, Kim Berry (Ken), Patty Bennett (Toby Ceniceros); 17 nieces and nephews; 6 great nieces and nephews. We will see you soon my love and daddy – Love you forever and always.

Celebration of Life is 3:00 pm Saturday, Jan. 29 in Springfield at Crossway Baptist Church, with Military Honors to follow. Visitation is 6-8 pm Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 at Greenlawn Funeral Home South, Springfield. Burial will be at Missouri Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 1, 2022.