Charles Robert Bennett Iii

Charles R. (Bob) Bennett III, 83 years old of Midway, PA, passed away on Friday, January 27 in St. Clair Hospital with his family by his side. He was born in New Eagle, PA on October 24, 1939, the son of Charles R. Bennett Jr. and Ada Clark Bennett.  Bob graduated from Midway High School in 1959.  He was an exceptional athlete while in high school, where he was a running back and defensive back on the football team. During his scholastic career, he helped the Midway Blue Knights to the 1956 WPIAL Championship and was named an All-County running back for two years.  He was also an outstanding performer in Track and Field, competing in the 100 yard dash and 880 yard relay, qualifying and placing in the WPIAL and PIAA state final meets.

Bob was drafted into the United States Army, serving in active duty from 1963-1965, attaining the rank of Specialist 4th class and expert classification in rifle and carbine. During his time in the military, he served as a generator operator at the ARADCOM in Newhall, CA.  Bob worked for 24 years at Woodville State Hospital in Collier Twp., PA as a warehouse manager.  He then worked for 16 years at the Charles E. Kelley Support Facility in Oakdale, PA for the Army Corps of Engineers, retiring in 2001.

On September 25, 1971, he married Donna Masquelier Bennett, with whom he spent over 51 loving years of marriage.  Bob was a member of McDonald Presbyterian Church, American Legion, and VFW.  He was a charismatic, devoted and loyal family man, who enjoyed automobiles, hunting, golfing, cutting grass, problem solving, storytelling, and just ‘shootin’ the breeze’. He was an ardent football fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Alabama Crimson Tide, Westminster Titans, Fort Cherry Rangers, and Burgettstown Blue Devils.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Linsey Bennett.

Bob leaves behind his cherished wife Donna, son Mike (Denise) McCarty of Burgettstown, daughter Dana (Tony) Colicchie of McDonald, son Robert (Alison) Bennett of Midway, and his grandchildren Rebekah and Colton Bennett, who he absolutely adored and were his pride and joy. He also leaves behind his sister Sharol Casada of St. Louis, special friends Albert and Naomi Ruschell, many nieces and nephews, and many, many friends that he met along the way.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 12-3 and 5-8PM at Nation Funeral Home Inc. 220 E. Lincoln Ave. McDonald, PA. 15057; where services will take place on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:00AM. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.