GOSHEN — H. Ernest Bennett, 94, of 1225 Greencroft Drive, died at 12:55 a.m. Wednesday in Greencroft Healthcare.

He was born Jan. 22, 1915, in Cumberland, MD, to Frank and Theoda (Collins) Bennett.

His wife, Earla (Hostetter), whom he married July 12, 1941, in Akron, PA, died Nov. 10, 2008.

He is survived by one son, Dr. Ernest Dale (Millie) Bennett of Castle Rock, CO, two daughters, Kathy (Rick) Stiffney and Joan (Todd) Yoder of Goshen, nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one sister, Hazel Metzler. He was predeceased by his beloved 5-year old grandson, Seth Whicker, and by one brother and two sisters.

Mr. Bennett received a Th.B. degree from Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, VA. He attended Eastern Baptist Seminary, received an A.B. degree from Goshen College, attended Northwestern University and served a residency in Hospital Administration at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

During the Spanish Civil War in 1939, Mr. Bennett did relief work in Spain with the Mennonite Relief Committee, and in the early days of WWII he served — in the Name of Christ — under Mennonite Central Committee in France. From 1941-46 he was Assistant Treasurer of Mennonite Central Committee at its headquarters in Akron, PA. From 1946 to 1980 he served at the Mennonite Board of Missions headquarters in Elkhart, IN, first in hospital development, then as Treasurer and Secretary for Health and Welfare, and from 1959 until his retirement as Executive Secretary.

During the years from 1952-90 Mr. Bennett served on the Mennonite Central Committee Executive Committee for 16 years and served as Executive Secretary of Mennonite Health Assembly. From 1981-1990 he was Executive Secretary of the Mennonite Health Association. He also served for extended periods on the boards of both Bethany Christian Schools and Greencroft Inc.

While he was a businessman, Mr. Bennett was always accepting and caring in his relationships with others. He was a devoted family man, truly enjoying his time at home — with his grandchildren, on the tractor, gardening, developing. On his own time, he became a licensed real estate broker, and developed Woodridge Estates, just south of Elkhart on C.R. 20.

He was a devoted member of the Prairie Street Mennonite Church from 1946 until his death. During those years he served in a variety of roles: Congregational Chair, Elder, Stewardship Chair, on the Mission & Service Commission, and as a teacher of adult Sunday School classes. Mr. Bennett demonstrated a servant role by the way he lived his life: he was equally at home chairing boards and committees, and serving as the church’s custodian, which he did from 1991 to 1997.

His example of service and devotion to his God and his church challenged many others to acts of service and love.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, 1911 S. Main Street, Goshen. There will be a brief period for visitation at the Prairie Street Mennonite Church, 1316 Prairie St., Elkhart on Monday, Nov. 23, at 9:30 a.m., prior to the 10 a.m. graveside service and burial at the Prairie Street Cemetery. A memorial service at the church will follow at 11 a.m., presided over by the Rev. Gene Lackore. Memorials may be given to Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Health Association, or Greencroft Inc.