Bennie Stewart

Funeral services for Bennie L. Stewart, 89, of Lawrence, KS, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Church in Lawrence, KS (3655 W. 10th St.).  Military graveside services will be conducted following the services at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence.  He died on Friday, May 20, 2011 at his home.

He was born on May 27, 1921 in Hutchinson, KS, the son of Leroy and Hester Lyle Stewart.

Mr. Stewart was a World War II, U.S. Army Air Corps veteran.  He was a member of the 805 Bomb Group. He served in Europe and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service.

He received his B.S. in Education from Kansas State University and later his M.A. in Education from Kansas State University in 1953.

He was a retired English teacher and Driver’s Education instructor in USD 497 in Lawrence.  He started his teaching career in Ashland, KS in 1950.  In Lawrence he began at Central Junior High School and retired at Lawrence High School in 1983.

Mr. Stewart was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Lawrence, Dorsey-Liberty Post # 14 of the American Legion, the Douglas County Retired Teachers Association and he worked with the 55 Alive Driving Education Program for senior citizens.  He was also a former Boy Scout Cubmaster and Scoutmaster and had received the Award of Merit from the BSA.  He was also a 25 year volunteer for the KU Relays.

He was married to Ethel LaRosh on September 4, 1949 in Hutchinson, KS.  She survives of the home.

Survivors include two daughters: Anne (husband, Dave) Johnson, of Emmetsburg, IA, Christine (husband, James) Thomson, of Cedar Rapids, IA, two sons: David (wife, Renae) Stewart, of Mesa, AZ, Harold (wife, Darlene) Stewart, of Scottsbluff, NE, a sister, Leola (husband, Jim) Claussen, of Topeka, KS, twenty four grandchildren and thirty four great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a great grandson.

The family will greet friends from 5:30- 7 p.m. Tuesday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

The family suggests memorials in his name to the Lawrence High School Endowment Association for a scholarship to be established in his name, and may be sent in care of the mortuary.