Reginald Bennett, 88, of Hays, Kansas, and former Russell resident, died on Sunday, December 31, 2017, at the Via Christi Village in Hays, Kansas. 

Reginald was born on April 15, 1929, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the son of Jim and Ruth (Knight) Bennett.  He grew up in Loco, Oklahoma, and Russell, Kansas.  He graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1948.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Carol J. Milberger on September 09, 1956, in Russell, Kansas.  From this union Reginald and Carol were blessed with two sons Ron and Reginald.  Reginald worked for various phases of the oil production industry until 1976.  At that time, Reginald and Ralph Schulte purchased Haynes Oil, Inc. forming Bennett & Schulte Oil Co. until his retirement in 2011.  He and Carol went on to also form C & R Oil, Inc. which continues today.  He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas.  He was also a member of the Russell Masonic Lodge and Russell Shrine Club.  He enjoyed wood working, tinkering in his shop and taking care of his wells.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Surviving family include his sons Ron Bennett (Karla) of Hays, Kansas and Reginald T. Bennett of Olathe, Kansas; nephew Roger T. Bennett (Arlene) of Roswell, Georgia; grandchildren Cody Bennett and Clayton Bennett (Sheldon Weigel) of Russell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carol on June 20, 2015, and brother Troy Bennett.

A celebration of Reginald's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, January 05, 2018, at the St. John Lutheran Church Little Chapel with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Masonic rites will be performed by Russell Masonic Lodge #177.  Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell.  Military honors will be presented by the Russell V.F.W. Post 6240.  Visitation will be held from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, January 04, 2018 at the mortuary with family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening.  Memorials may be given to the St. John Lutheran Church or Russell Shrine Travel Fund.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.