MITCHELL – Rev. Avert “Jay” Bennett, 84, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at White River Lodge.
Born May 26, 1941, in Russell Springs, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Avel and Laverne (Stephens) Bennett. At the age of 16 Jay and his family moved to Indiana, where he met his wife of 67 years, Bonnie Jean (Curry) Bennett, and she survives.
Rev. Bennett, along with his wife, pastored churches in Mitchell, Bedford, Connersville, Cumberland, North Vernon, Orleans, and Seymour, before retiring in 2018 after 52 years of service. Jay served on several boards throughout his ministry including: State Council for 12 years, Youth Board for 8 years, Evangelism Board for 4 years, District Overseer for 28 years, and State Trustee for 20 years. He taught Church of God Bible Institutes in Austin, Kokomo, Franklin, and Richmond. And he also served on the Lawrence County Ministerial Association, trained several minsters through the state Ministerial Internship Program, and preached Revivals in Montana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
Surviving are his wife, Bonnie Jean Bennett of Mitchell; children, Cynthia (William) Maxwell of Bedford, Teresa Reynolds of Mitchell, Donna (Shep) Brewer of Bloomington, and Tim (Gary Hanifen) Bennett of Seymour; grandchildren, Candi (Danny) Dersch of Morganton, North Carolina, Ben (Jessica) Reynolds of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, Stephani (Camden) Spinks of Lawrence, Shonda (Travis) Allender of Bedford, Justin (Brittany) Jenkins of Bedford, Jessica (Kenny) Giffiths of Jackson, Michigan, Kayle (John) Hunter of Bedford, Cassandra (Stephen) Hamilton of New Albany, and Alec (Kendyll Blackwell) Bennett of New Albany; several great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson, Jack; brother, Arvin Bennett of Noblesville; and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
His parents; siblings, Meritta Kennard, Villis Richardson, Ira Bennett, Velma Crowe; infant sister, Ruby Lean Bennett; and son-in-law, Perry Reynolds, preceded him in death.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, at the Bedford Park Place Church of God with Pastor Jerry Ballard officiating. Burial will be at Green Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, and from 10:00 a.m. until the service on Wednesday all at the Park Place Church of God.
Casketbearers will be grandsons, Justin Jenkins, Ben Reynolds, and Alec Bennett; great-grandsons, Dakota Canada and Curtis Mathews; and grandsons-in-law, Danny Dersch and Travis Allender. Honorary Casketbearers will be great-grandsons, Draven Livingston and Jaxon Reynolds; and grandson-in-law, Camden Spinks.
Memorial Gifts: Park Place Church of God