Philo "KENT" Bennett

Philo Kent Bennett, age 90, passed away at home surrounded by his family in the early morning of July 8, 2026 at Lake of the Woods near Bremen, Indiana,

Born in Norway, KS on February 20, 1936, he was son of the late Philo Harry and Mildred Buer Bennett. 

He attended Indiana University for one year before transferring to Ashland College where he earned his BS degree. While in college he felt a call to the ministry so he embarked on further studies enrolling in Ashland Theological Seminary. Upon graduation Kent and his twin brother Keith were both ordained into the ministry in a joint service at Garber Memorial Brethren Church in Ashland, Ohio. While attending college Kent served in the United States Army Reserve and was honorably discharged in October 1962. He later earned a Master of Religious Education from Goshen Mennonite Seminary in 1970 and a Master of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1983.

Kent began his ministry while in seminary at Albion St. Johns United Church of Christ. Following ordination Kent accepted a call to serve as pastor of County Line Brethren Church in Lakeville, Indiana. On Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965, one of the most devastating tornadoes in U.S. history destroyed the church. Kent remained as pastor and led the congregation through the rebuilding, construction and dedication of a new church building in the fall of 1966.

In 1967 Kent began his ministry to the North Liberty First Brethren Church. In early 1973, God put a call on the family to serve two congregations in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Maurertown and St. Luke Brethren Churches. He later helped plant a new Brethren Church, Waterbrook in Edinburg, VA.

After many years in full-time ministry, Kent stepped away from pastoring for a season and worked for Costco in Fairfax, Manassas and Harrisonburg, Virginia.

In 1995 he returned to ministry and served the Newport Church of the Brethren in Page County, Virginia for 18 years retiring in 2013 at age 77, after faithfully serving churches for over 50 years in Virginia and Indiana,

In retirement, Kent and Donna spent happy summers among friends and family at Lake of the Woods in Indiana. He continued leading a weekly Bible study, enjoyed time with family and friends, watching football and Indiana basketball games, feeding the birds, making sure the mail never stayed in the mailbox very long, and spending many hours in prayer for his loved ones. He persistently prayed for the salvation and well-being of each of his children and grandchildren, family members, friends, churches, and this world. He did not want to leave any of his loved ones behind. More than anything, he wanted the world to know Jesus and find salvation.

Kent had a special gift — he could walk into a room and immediately make the person in front of him feel like the most important one there. He always had a kind word, a playful handshake, a fist bump, or a gentle pat on the back. There was a quiet gentleness about him that put people at ease, paired with a warm sense of humor that would sneak up on you — usually delivered with a big smile, a laugh, and a wonderfully corny joke. He was also the undisputed “Text King,” always sending messages to let you know he was thinking about you and loved you.

Kent is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Donna Pippenger; his children Jon (Deb), Juliana Cooper (Ron), Jeffrey (Laura); nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother Philip Keith Bennett, and his sister Patricia Kay Watson.

A funeral service will for Mr. Bennett will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 24, 2026, at Maurertown Brethren Church in Virginia. Burial will follow in the Maurertown Brethren church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Stover Funeral Home in Strasburg, VA from 5:30 P.M.- 7:30 P.M. on Thursday evening.