Junior Wiley Bennett, 81, Belle Fourche, SD, passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at Sturgis Regional Hospital with his beloved wife, Lucille, by his side.

Visitation will be held from noon to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, January 3rd, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel, with the family present from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 4, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with Pastor Harold Delbridge, Pastor Paul Howard, and Rev. Denzel Nonhof officiating. Following the service, burial will be held at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

Junior was born February 5, 1928, in Miller, SD, to Wiley and Katherine (Guthmiller) Bennett. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Haydraw, near Union Center, and attended country school in Central Meade County. Junior ranched at Union Center for several years.

On October 3, 1950, Junior married the love of his life, Lucille Goodwin, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis, SD. To this union, four children were born: Duane, Don, Elaine, and Marilea.

Junior loved ranching and did so for many years. In 1966, Junior, Lucille, and their children moved to the Clayton Talley Ranch, located in Central Meade County on Sulphur Creek. The ranch was later sold to Joe Bruch, where they continued to manage for the next 25 years. During this time, Junior and Lucille hosted numerous hunters and created lifelong friendships. In addition, Junior was a Meade County Deputy Sheriff for Sheriff John Egger. Junior especially enjoyed "coppin" the country dances. He shared many stories of his experience as a deputy sheriff. He took great pride in this role of protecting his fellow neighbors, especially watching over the younger crowd.

In 1999, Junior and Lucille moved to Belle Fourche where they settled along the Belle Fourche River. It is here where they enjoyed semi-retirement as they managed cows, kids, and grandkids. Junior especially loved putting up hay and swathing beautiful alfalfa fields along the river bottom.

Junior was a lifelong cattleman, who especially loved his Charolais cows, and passed on his love of cows to his kids and grandkids. He was a member of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, and an avid supporter of 4-H and FFA. Junior also had a passion for horses. He enjoyed teaching horsemanship skills to his children and grandchildren. He was often found attending youth rodeos and supporting his family's many activities. Furthermore, Junior took pride in his tack collection; in fact, one of his recent hobbies included oiling the family saddles.

Junior took pride in his and Lucille's marriage and the fact they had been married for 59 years. He thought his sweetheart was a wonderful woman. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and grandkids, telling a good joke and sharing a good laugh.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille Bennett, Belle Fourche; son, Don (Marilyn) Bennett, Belle Fourche; daughters, Elaine Jensen, Belle Fourche, and Marilea Ferris, Rapid City; brothers, Sam (Loretta) Bennett, Sturgis, and Virgil (Zeta) Bennett, Belle Fourche; son-in-law, Jerry Jensen, Belle Fourche; daughter-in-law, Cindy Bennett, Rapid City; ten grandchildren, Loni (Chris) Wells, Rapid City, Wiley (Taletha) Bennett, Indian Trail, NC, Jason (Ashlee) Jensen, Belle Fourche, Jennifer Jensen, Rapid City, Jordan (Michael) Galyen, Council Bluffs, IA., Doni Bennett, New Mexico, Justin Jensen, Belle Fourche, Tyler Ferris, Belle Fourche, and Kimberley and Allison Ferris, both of Rapid City; four great-grandchildren, Aren and Alex Wells, Rapid City, and Hailee and Trevor Bennett, Indian Trail, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wiley and Katherine Bennett; son, Duane; granddaughter, Lori Dawn; four brothers, Wilbert Bennett, Albert Bennett, Floyd Bennett, and Pete Dodge; and two sisters, Ada Kulesza and Edith Bennett,

A memorial has been established, which will be given to a young 4-H participant this August at the Butte/Lawrence County Fair.