Merl E. "Cub" Bennett , age 90, of Riverton, WV, passed away on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, WV, surrounded by his family. He was born on January 25, 1932, in Circleville, WV, the son of the late Jimmie J. and Mabel (Warner) Bennett. On June 20 1959, Cub married Barbara (Mullenax) Bennett, who survives in Riverton.

Cub was a 1953 graduate of Circleville High School. He was drafted to serve in the US Army, during the Korean War, where he served as the Supply Clerk (Radar) in the 45 ^th MASH Unit. Cub was drafted to war prior to his graduating and was presented his diploma upon his return home from service. Following his return from Korea, Cub drove a street car in Washington, DC. In 1960, he began his career as an Iron Worker and was employed by J. A. Jones for ten years and during this time he attended welding school in Wilmington, NC and became a master welder. After his father's passing, Cub returned to Judy Gap and worked the family farm, where he continued raising beef cattle, owned and operated Bennett Lime, and in 1973 built a turkey house and grew for Rocco which later became Cargill until 2018.

Cub was instrumental in building the North Fork Rescue Squad Bay and moving the North Fork Brethren Church to its present site, saving it from the flood. He was a charter member of the Pendleton County Rescue and instructed EMS volunteers to establish the North Fork Rescue Squad. He was a member of the Pendleton County Masonic Lodge #144 and a 32 ^nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. Cub was a member of the Circleville United Methodist Church and attended Friends Run Church of the Brethren.

After his retirement, Cub enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and he enjoyed riding the side by side ("his buggy"). He had a love for motorsports, including truck pulls and street racing in his younger years and was noted for his keen sense of humor. He was a faithful attendee of multiple sports, including Circleville Indians, Pendleton County Wildcats, and the WVU Mountaineers.

In addition to his wife, Cub leaves behind to cherish his memory: 2 sons, Randy C. Bennett and Jimmie Bennett (Vickie) of Riverton, WV; 2 grandchildren, J. Isaac Bennett (Kaylee) of Franklin and Allison M. Bennett (Jacob) of Riverton; a great-granddaughter, Reece Mae Bennett (his first great-granddaughter, which he adored); a sister, Ruth Simmons of Franklin, WV; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: a brother, Glenn Bennett; 2 nephews, Bill and David Bennett; and a brother-in-law, Vernon C. Simmons.

Cub's family will receive friends on Monday, April 4, 2022, 6-8 PM at the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin, WV. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Fletcher Hutchison officiating. Interment will be in North Fork Memorial Cemetery, with Military Honors conducted by the US Army, Camp Dawson and Masonic rites conducted by Pendleton Masonic Lodge #144 AF & AM. Memorials may be made to any Pendleton County Rescue Squad. Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home.