Amelda L. Bennett

Amelda Kiester Bennett, 92 of Harrisville passed away at 8:40 P.M. Monday January 19, 2015 at Grove City Medical Center surrounded by her family.

She was born on September 4, 1922 at her family's home at Kiester Station in rural Butler County. Her parents were Vernetta Sutton and Henry B. Kiester. She was 7th in a family of nine. She acquired her nickname "Spud" when her brother, in a family ballgame, said "She runs like Spud Davis (Pirate catcher.) Ever since, that has been her name.

Amelda went to school at Kiester Elementary, a one room school just down the hill from home, for several years. The family moved to New Hope, and lived there for about a year. They then settled in Harrisville when Amelda was thirteen. She attended Harrisville High School.

"Spud" and Jim Bennett married in 1939. She enrolled at Slippery Rock University and earned a degree. She also earned later a Master's in Education. She taught at Portersville Elementary and later at Harmer Elementary where she served as head teacher. She then taught at the Middle School where she retired in 1987.

Amelda was an active member of Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian for most of her life. She participated in many Women's Bible Studies over the years.

She was an artist and loved painting. She designed many of her own Christmas cards. She judged the posters at the Butler Farm Show annually, and was involved in art classes and other activities.

Surviving is her loving husband James E. Bennett of 75 years. The Bennett's have three sons, Robert (Delores); John (Maggie), of Harrisville, and James (Susan) of Grove City. The family includes 9 grandchildren, and 4 step grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren, also 8 great-great-grand-grandchildren, and two sisters Louise Baseler (Paul) of Grove City and Emmy Lou Holtz (John) of Harrisville.

Amelda was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and four sisters.

Friends will be received at the Jamison Funeral Home Inc. 117 N. Main St. Harrisville on Thursday, January 22 from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday in Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church 443 N. Main St. Harrisville, With Pastor's Allen Moran and Peter Puliatti, officiating.

Interment will follow at Prairie Cemetery.