Charles C. Bennett, 97, passed away peacefully in Fremont, Michigan on Saturday with family by his side. Charles was born at home in the Bennett family farmhouse in Sheridan Township to parents Elias and Mae Bennett on Feb. 13, 1925. Charles spent his childhood and adult life prior to retirement in the same farmhouse. Spending the winters in Florida, he continued to work on the farm during the summers for several years, still mowing lawns just last summer. Charles attended Brookside School. He broke the young horses to ride on his way to and from the one room schoolhouse. He also attended an Agricultural Short course at Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (MSU today). Charles managed a successful farming operation using new technologies and innovative ideas. He served on several agricultural organizations, school boards, and was a member of the Fremont United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association and a lifelong Mason. In 1944, Charles rode his horse to a neighborhood home to ask Swedish school teacher Ruth Peason to the movies. On Valentine's Day, 1945 Charles gave her an engagement ring and the couple was married on April 20, 1945 in South Haven, Michigan. Early in their married life, they named the family farm "Sleepy Ridge" where they lived for 32 years. Charles and Ruth spent their retirement years in Hesperia where they enjoyed friends, grandkids, and of course a few horses out back. An expert horseman, Charles always valued horses. He used his talents with draft horses, Tennessee Walkers, and Standardbreds. He found great joy in racing Standardbreds at Michigan fairs and Sunshine Raceway in Florida. Charles enjoyed taking his great grandkids on buggy rides down the country roads. Charles was preceded in death by his wife Ruth after 60 years of marriage. The heavenly reunion will also include sons Alan and David as well as daughter in law, Carol. Charles is survived by daughter in law, Pat Bennett, grandchildren Aaron (Leslie) Bennett; Sarah (Jason Krebill) Bennett; Jane (Reggie) Ignash; Amber (Dave) Terakedis; Anne (Ken) Momany; Laura Fair; Daniel (Laura) Bennett; Several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren VISITATION: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 10am – 12pm at the Crandell Funeral Home Fremont Chapel 7193 W 48th Street Fremont MI 49412. FUNERAL SERVICES: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 12pm at the Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel. INTERMENT : Maple Grove Cemetery in Fremont, Michigan. Memorial contributions: New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program at the following link New Vocations (https://www.newvocations.org/donate). Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Bennett family online at www.crandellfh.com. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Charles C. Bennett, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Visitation Fremont Chapel Wednesday, January 25, 2023 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 7193 W 48th Street Fremont, Michigan 49412 Funeral Service Fremont Chapel Wednesday, January 25, 2023 12:00 PM 7193 W 48th Street Fremont, Michigan 49412