Wilma J. "Joy" Bennett

Wilma Joyce “Joy” Bennett (formerly Scheer), 72, of Topeka, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, September 18th in her home surrounded by her family. Joy was born in Peoria, Illinois in 1952 to Henry Wilmer (deceased) and Floy Mae (Smith) Scheer. She has two sisters, Linda Sue Matheny (Scheer) and Barbara Jean Scheer. She married Robert “Bob” Bennett on July 7, 1971. Joy and Bob went on to raise five children, Bobbie Bennett-Ruth, Russell Bennett, Michael Bennett, Daniel Bennett, and Krystina Harris. She has nine grandchildren, Michael Bennett, Jessika Jauriqui, Samantha Bennett, Nathan Bennett, Matthew Bennett, Daniell Salthouse, Brett Bennett, Dustin Bennett, and Molly Bennett. She has nine great grandchildren. Also surviving is her dog Katie who will sincerely miss her. Grandma Joy, as she was known to most and her license plate read, fully embodied the spirit of grandmother in every way and extended this unconditional love and care to innumerable humans and animals during her lifetime. Her life was dedicated to caregiving from childhood until the day she left this world. As a child, her mother told her on her 9th birthday that her birthday present was her little sister Linda Sue who was born just 12 days prior. At the time, she wasn’t quite thrilled about this; however, as the years passed it would prove that she had a built in best friend. Joy soon took on the responsibility of helping her mother look after Linda as her mother was dedicated to caring for her youngest sister Barbara. From there, her caregiving blossomed and she touched the lives of so many. Beginning with working as a CNA/activity aid at Bellwood Nursing Home to child care provider at Crittenton Home nurturing children affected by substance abuse, then later working as a teacher’s aid in the special education classroom at Edison Junior High School. She also provided a loving home to a number of foster children while helping care for her own grandchildren at the same time. She lived a life of service to those in the greatest need from the youngest to the eldest among us. Grandma Joy has shared some of the greatest and fondest memories with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. One lesson she instilled in her grandchildren was “plant a seed, water it, and watch it grow.” While most would think of plants when hearing this, all her grandchildren remember themselves being planted in the dirt at her house/our favorite place to visit. She would dig a big hole, plop us down in it, and then bury us in the dirt (some could escape on their own after, while some of us had to be dug back out). We would giggle like crazy while she watered us with the hose. This is the greatest analogy to how Grandma Joy exemplified tender, loving care for everyone around her. True “Joy” and love, laughter, fun, and not being afraid to get a little dirty. This love will forever grow exponentially through all the lives she touched. Grandma Joy will be missed dearly and her love forever felt. Memorial donations may be made at: https://gofund.me/5f162c1f. Online condolences may be made to her family at www.hurleyfh.com. Maas-Hurley Funeral Home in Manito is in charge of arrangements.

Wilma J. "Joy" Bennett

May 4, 1952 - September 18, 2024

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