Obituary: David B. Bennett

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory​.

Dave B. Bennett

Dave Bennett, age 71, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, March 23, 2026.He was born in Chicago on August 28, 1954.Dave was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend whose love for his family was matched only by his passion for cars and racing.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Debbie (Schwab) Bennett; his son, Steven (Debra Jaros) Bennett of Channahon; his daughter, Tanya (Adam) Kolodziej of Joliet; grandsons, Marcus Bennett and A.J. Kolodziej as well as many extended family members and friends.

Preceded by his father, James Bennett and mother, Grace (Cialoni) Bennett.

Dave shared a beautiful and lasting love with his wife, Debbie.Together they built a life filled with laughter, dedication, and unwavering support for one another.Whether it was quiet evenings at home, time spent with family, or cheering on a race together, their bond was evident to everyone who knew them.Debbie was his greatest partner and his biggest supporter, standing beside him through every chapter of life.They also enjoyed trips to the casino, where they would try their luck at the slots and play a few hands of poker, making memories and sharing smiles with every win of loss.

Dave was an active member of the Deer Creek Recreation Club, where he not only enjoyed playing horseshoes but also served on the Board.He cherished spending weekends camping with his family, building memories around the campfire and fostering friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Dave was a proud graduate of Plainfield High School, Class of 1972.His formative years in Plainfield helped shape his values and lifelong friendships, he often spoke fondly of his time there.

Throughout his career, Dave was employed by John Neef Auto Service, Bumper to Bumper and the family-owned L& B Auto Parts.He also owned and operated a school bus for Plainfield District 202, balancing his passion for cars with a commitment to serving his community.

From an early age, Dave had a deep appreciation for anything with an engine.Whether he was under the hood fine-tuning a car, watching a race on Sunday afternoon, or spending weekends at the track, he was happiest surrounded by the roar of horsepower and the smell of rubber on pavement.He found great joy in following his favorite drivers in the NASCAR & NHRA series and never missed an opportunity to talk racing or cars with anyone who would listen.

Above all, he was a family man.He was incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren and cherished every moment spent together-whether sharing stories in the garage, attending one of their sporting events, or simply enjoying time at home with Debbie by his side.His strength, humor, and steady presence will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Though he has crossed the finish line of this life, his legacy will continue to race on in the hearts of all who loved him.

As it was Dave's request, cremation rites have been accorded.A Memorial Visitation for Dave Bennett will Thursday, April 2, 2026 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black (at Essington) Rds., Joliet from 1:00 p.m. until the time of Memorial Services at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be made in Dave's honor to Grundy County Special Connections Co-op (www.specialconnections.org/donate) or Channahon Baseball (Zelle@channahonbaseball.com) reflecting his spirit of generosity and love for his grandchildren.

For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or you may visit his Memorial Tribute ate www.fredcdames.com where you can share a special memory or leave an online condolence.

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