J. Michael Bennett, 70, Jasper

J. Michael Bennett, 70, of Jasper, passed away at 5:08 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2017, at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper.

Mike was born on February 11, 1947, in Oakland City, Indiana to William and Barbara Bennett. He married Ann Meyer on October 18, 2003, in Las Vegas.

Mike was a United States Air Force Veteran and served in Vietnam during the war.

He was a graduate of the Indiana State Police Academy. He worked with the Indiana State Police for 33 years, from 1973 to 2005. He advanced to the position of assistant district commander after holding positions of trooper and squad Sergeant. He was a parole agent for the Indiana Department of Corrections from 2008 to 2012. Since 2012 to present, he served the City of Jasper as the Chief of Police.

He was a graduate of the Southern Police Institute, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Indiana Chief of Police Association, Vice President of the Southwest Indiana Law Enforcement Council, the Dubois County Community Corrections Board, Jasper Police Department Pension Board, the Dubois County Local Emergency Planning Commission, and the Jasper Indiana Freemasons –  Line Lodge #743.

He enjoyed playing golf, and watching St. Louis Cardinal’s Baseball, IU Basketball, and Colts Football.

Surviving are his wife, Ann Bennett, Jasper; five children, Michelle Dellion (Rob) of Vincennes, Kristy Bennett of San Diego, Calif., Mike Bennett of Jeffersonville, Rhett Eckert of Jasper and  Rhiley Eckert of Jasper; his mother, Barbara Bennett of Princeton; one sister, Connie Doyle (Al) of Avon; and one brother, Larry “Bones” Bennett of Hermitage, Tenn.

Preceding him in death was his father, William Bennett, former chief of the Princeton Police Department.

A Celebration of Life Service for J. Michael Bennett will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2017, at Redemption Christian Church in Jasper with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper. Mayor Terry Seitz and Chaplain Rick Mann will officiate. The American Legion Post #147 in conjunction with the Jasper Police and Indiana State Police will conduct military graveside rites.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper, Indiana.

The family requests that In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the J. Michael Bennett Endowment Fund, Dubois County Community Foundation. Proceeds from the Endowment will go towards the needs of the Jasper Police Department.

Condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.