Rod Bennett

Roderick Allen Bennett, ‘Rod’, born on July 23, 1940, was raised on an 80 acre farm between Davis and Durand, IL. The farm had no electrical services or running water until he went off to Blake School, one of the county’s last one room school houses. As a very young child he built replica barns and corrals which his mother saved for years. In Durand High School’s 1958 annual Rod said his life’s ambition was to be a building contractor.

From humble beginnings, this born carpenter built one of Northern Illinois’ most respected commercial/industrial union construction companies, Bennett Construction, Inc., Pecatonica, IL. This was a work of love for Rod, and he was successful due to his single minded determination and plain old hard work. He was blessed with dedicated employees who were his second family. Rod worked every day of his life, and even on his death bed wanted to make sure proposals were submitted and contracts signed.

Rod died on August 19, 2022 of complications from cancer treatment. His family surrounded him and supported him as he drew his final breaths.

Rod loved fast cars, fast boats, heavy equipment, and ice cream. He was a dedicated member of the Northern Illinois Corvette Club. For more than 2 decades he led the Club in the annual Pecatonica Memorial Day Parade. He also was a member of the Pecatonica Old Car Club. He was an avid euchre player. For many years you could find him grabbing breakfast and a game as early as 5:00am. He loved teasing friends and chasing after anything with a siren and flashing lights along with his breakfast buddies from the ‘farmer’s table.’

He was a man of quiet generosity, supporting local community groups, sports teams, the Winnebago County Fair, Ducks Unlimited, The Carrie Lynn Children’s Center, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford both financially and with donations of expertise, labor, and equipment for construction related projects.

Rod is predeceased by his parents John F. Bennett and Ada Pieper Bennett. Rod is survived by his wife of 18 years, Wendy, children Michael Bennett, Michelle (Paul) Hendricks, step children Brooke Larson Park (Steve), Meredith Larson, grandchildren Megan Hendricks, Jordan Hendricks, Brett Hendricks, Elliott Park and Penelope Park.

Many thanks to the dedicated nurses and medical staff at Swedish American Cancer Center, Swedish American Hospital, and the University of Wisconsin Carbonne Cancer Center. Special thanks to Dr. Michael Fumo for his years of excellent guidance and advice, and Dr. Jon Strutzenburg and his staff in Winnebago for their care and support.

Rod will be remembered as a man with a gruff exterior and a heart of gold. Rod was a man of few words, but he was respected and admired wherever he went. Rod was always there for all of us. We will miss him forever. May his memory be a blessing.

The family is establishing a scholarship fund in Rod’s memory for local students interested in careers in the building trades or construction management. Memorial donations should specify “scholarship fund.”

A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2022 in McCorkle Funeral Home - Pecatonica Chapel 203 W. 5th St Pecatonica with The Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson Unitarian Universalist Church officiating. Burial to be in Twelve Mile Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday.

To view additional details about Roderick's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/rod-bennett Obituary