Velma Bennett

Velma Helene (Muntz) Bennett, a resident of Charlevoix, entered eternal life on August 2, 2022. She was 92 years old.

Velma was born in Gagetown, Michigan, on May 4, 1930, to Homer and Nellie Muntz. She was raised on a farm in Cass City, Michigan. She always shared many fond memories of her childhood years, including attending the one-room schoolhouse, hoeing the beans, milking the cows, and farming with the team of horses. Velma also shared many memories of her life during the Great Depression and World War II.

In 1951, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from Central Michigan College of Education (now Central Michigan University). Many great memories were made at CMCE, including meeting her husband and being part of the Homecoming Queen’s Court in 1949.

At the age of 22, Velma taught business classes, specifically shorthand and typing, in the Chicago area (Orland Park and Midlothian). After a brief teaching career, she and her husband (Kingsley Bennett) were relocated to Fort Ord near Monterey, California, during the Korean War. Velma and Kingsley then moved to Hastings, Michigan, where their family continued to grow, and Kingsley began his optometry career. Her last 27 years were spent in beautiful Charlevoix. She worked at the family owned Sunglass Shoppe and spoke fondly of the many friendships she made while there. She is still known today as “The Sunglass Lady”.

Velma truly loved being with family. She also loved music, especially watching concerts and parades in which her children and/or grandchildren were involved. There was always a special place in her heart for The Petoskey Steel Drum Band.

Velma’s sweet personality and kind smiles will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She always put others first and never wanted to disappoint.

Velma is being reunited with her late husband (Dr. Kingsley Bennett), parents (Homer and Nellie Muntz), sister (Lorine Raess-Hartman), infant twin siblings (Newell Homer Muntz and Nellie Marie Muntz), and son-in-law (Wally Sowles).

She is survived by her five children, Jeff (Deb) Bennett of Hastings; Fred (Leslie) Bennett of Larkspur, CO; Lori Bennett-Sowles of Charlevoix; Barry (Robin) Bennett of Petoskey; and Mary (Brian) Wynne of Midland. She is also survived by nine grandchildren (Jason Bennett, Katie Bennett-Durr, Rebecca Bennett-James, Jacqueline Bennett, Annika Bennett, Corey Bennett, Morgan Wynne, Sydney Wynne and Kingsley Wynne), five great grandchildren (Chase Bennett, Cara Bennett, Charlotte Durr, Wyatt Durr, and Milly Durr), sister-in-law Mary Bennett-Drake of Buena Vista, CO; former daughter-in-law Jayne (Ron) Winchester of Charlevoix, as well as many dear nieces and nephews.

Her family would like to thank Grandvue Medical Care Facility for their wonderful care, love, and friendship.

Memorial contributions in her memory can be donated to any of the following:

Petoskey Steel Drum Band, c/o Petoskey Band Boosters, 801 Northman Drive, Petoskey, MI 49770, the American Cancer Society online, by phone at 800-227-2345, or by mail at P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741, or the American Diabetes Association online, by phone at 800-342-2383, or by mail to P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA, 22116-7023.

Funeral services for Velma will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2022 at the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  The family will receive visitors from 2:00 p.m. until the time of services at 4:00 p.m.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com