ANDOVER – Wendell H. Bennett, 83, passed away on Monday (January 19, 2026) at St. James Hospital in Hornellsville following a lengthy illness.
Wendell was born on September 14, 1942 in Morgantown, WV to Ira E. and Emma (Arthur) Bennett and was raised by his father and step-mother, Mary M. Bennett. He was a 1961 graduate of Morgantown High School and later served in the United States Air Force from 1961-1965. On November 14, 1964, in the Andover United Methodist Church parsonage, he married Mary Lou Lehman, who predeceased him on August 4, 2019.
Wendell worked as a lineman for Contel Telephone in Alfred.
Wendell is survived by a daughter, Tammy (Ray) Gavin of Andover; a son, William “Willie” Bennett of Ponca City, OK; a daughter-in-law, Joyce Bennett of Spring Hill, TN; a sister-in-law, Darlene (Mike) Willis of Wayland; seven grandchildren, Samantha Gavin, Mitchell Gavin, Dakota (Brielle) Gavin, Hunter Bennett, Jacob Bennett, Trenton Bennett and Jackie (Morgan) Haslam; four great-grandchildren, Eli Gavin, Charlie Haslam, Henry Haslam and soon to come, Leo Gavin; and several nieces , nephews and cousins.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a son, Mark Bennett and a sister, Betty Lou Eddy.
Wendell loved the simple things of life. He loved his family and shared his passion for hunting and fishing with his two sons, creating many great and lasting memories together. He used his ability as a little league baseball coach to further invest in the lives of his sons. Wendell left his comfort zone to pick out his daughter’s wedding dress, a bonding moment with his daughter that remains vivid all these years later. His eyes would light up every Friday about his Burger King date with his great-grandson, Eli.
Wendell loved his friends, many of which he shared decades of experiences with in the Andover Lions Club or his church home, Blessed Sacrament Church. He never met a stranger that he could not strike up a conversation with. There was nothing complicated about Wendell and he was quick to share his dry sense of humor with anyone.
Wendell loved everything West Virginia. Though he lived in Andover these past 60 years, in many ways West Virginia always remained home.
Finally, Wendell loved his wife, Mary Lou. Through 54 years of marriage they hunted together, played cards together, swam at Waneta Lake together and loved life together. He was never quite the same after her passing.
In a word, Wendell was both stern, but gentle; opinionated but kind and talkative but caring. He was a friend to all.
There will be no prior visitation. A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Sunday (May 24) at 1:00 p.m. at Hillside Cemetery in Andover where his ashes will be laid to rest beside his wife. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held immediately following the graveside service at 1:30 p.m. in the Andover Fire Hall.
Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Wendell’s name may be made to SPCA Serving Allegany County, PO Box 181, Belmont, NY 14813. © 2025 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
ANDOVER – Mary Lou Bennett, 72, passed away Sunday (Aug. 4, 2019) at Strong Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.
Mary Lou Bennett
February 5, 1947 – August 4, 2019
Mrs. Bennett was born on Feb. 5, 1947 in Andover to Harold “Slim” and Fannie (Taylor) Lehman. She attended Andover Central School. On Nov. 14, 1964, in the Andover United Methodist parsonage, she married Wendell H. Bennett, who survives.
Mary Lou devoted her life to the care of her husband and family.
In addition to her husband of 54 years, Mary Lou is survived by a daughter, Tammy (Ray) Gavin of Andover; two sons, Mark (Joyce) Bennett of Somerville, Tenn. and Willie Bennett of Ponca City, Okla.; two sisters, Hazel Cornell of Andover and Darlene (Mike) Willis of Wayland; a sister-in-law, Betty Lou Eddy of Morgantown, W.Va. and a brother-in-law, Ed Ryan of Andover.
Additionally, she is survived by seven grandchildren, Samantha Gavin, Mitchell Gavin, Dakota (Brielle Studer) Gavin and Jacob Bennett, all of Andover, Trenton Bennett of Ponca City, Okla., Jackie (Morgan) Haslam of Spring Hill, Tenn. and Hunter (Kasie Hudson) Bennett of Bellevue, Neb.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by four brothers, Charles Lehman, Carl “Pudge” Lehman, James Lehman and Robbie Lehman; and a sister, Lois Ryan.
Mary Lou loved to hunt and fish. It’s still talked about in the family of the time she took down two deer with one shot. She was quite the marksman during duck hunting season as well. Some of her children’s favorite memories were at Waneta Lake for swimming and fishing. Two of her favorite indoor pastimes were playing euchre and putting together jigsaw puzzles.
Mary Lou was very proud of her family. She was always there at the local sporting events cheering on her grandchildren and Hunter Greene, who she loved as if he was a grandchild. She was also very community minded. She was a member of the Andover Rescue Squad, the Andover Ladies Auxiliary, the Southwestern Association of Volunteer Fireman and the Allegany County Firemen’s Auxiliary. Mary Lou was also fondly remembered as “Boon-Boom Bennett” during her playing days on the Andover Town Softball team.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover. A memorial service will be held at 8 p.m. at the funeral home immediately following the visitation. A private burial in Hillside Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family. The family requests that you wear something purple in honor of Mary Lou’s favorite color.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary Lou’s name may be made to Andover Ambulance Corps, 8 Chestnut St., Andover, NY 14806; or Strong Memorial Hospital Cardiac Care Unit., Unit 4-2800 (Cardiac ICU), 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 619-27, Rochester, NY 14642. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker.swan.com.
