Delbert LaVere Bennett

MURTAUGH – Delbert LaVere Bennett, age 84, of Murtaugh, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls.

LaVere was born on May 18, 1928, in Albion, Idaho, the son of Logan Hanley and Hattie Cleo Sawtell Bennett. He attended school in Albion and graduated from high school in 1946. He then attended SICE (the Southern Idaho College of Education) for two years receiving a pre-professional certificate in 1948. He did continuing education during the summers of 1965 thru 1967 and graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s of science degree in education.

He married Jeannine Chatburn on Aug. 15, 1948, in Albion. He began his teaching career at the junior high school in Hailey where he taught from 1948-1951. He then took a leave of absence from teaching and worked for the M.H. King Company of Burley from 1951-1953. He returned to teaching in 1953 at the junior high in Murtaugh where he taught until 1959. He left teaching again to open a new business in Burley called Snake River Bowl which he operated from 1959-1961. He then taught 6th grade at Murtaugh for one year prior to being appointed as the junior high school principal and teacher in 1962 and continued in that position until his retirement in 1986. While teaching, he was also involved in coaching football, basketball and track on the junior high level. He was also a bus driver, driving morning and evening bus routes for the Murtaugh schools. In addition to coaching junior high sports, he became the high school assistant football coach in 1967 and continued in that position until retirement. Following retirement from teaching, he continued to do seasonal work for the Murtaugh Highway District - with his last working day being July 2, 2012.

LaVere was elected the first mayor of the town of Murtaugh in 1967 and served in this capacity until 1976. While holding the position of mayor, he also assisted the local law enforcement officer in keeping peace. He was selected as secretary of the Murtaugh Highway District in 1970 and served until his death.

He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity for 23 years, the Idaho Education Association during his teaching career, was honored by the 4th District Coaching Association in 1986 for 37 years of service, and was instrumental in developing the physical education program for Murtaugh Junior High School in 1953 – starting a football, basketball and track teams. They won the state football championship in 1982, and in 1983, the football field was named Bennett Field, and continues to have that title today. In 1986, he was named the Assistant Idaho Football Coach of the Year and was later recognized by Governor John Evans for his efforts in education with the State of Idaho Certificate. He was selected as Defensive Coach of the Year for the Shriner’s All-Star game two different years, and was nominated to the Idaho High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2003. Additionally, he received an honorary FFA degree of Chapter Farmer in 1981.

LaVere enjoyed fishing, bowling, golf, riding motorcycles, R-Ving, and in his last years, working Jig Saw puzzles.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jeannine Bennett of Murtaugh; his children, Delbert (Shauna) Bennett of Albion, Rocky (Nedra) Bennett of Kimberly, Janny (James) Graham of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, and Lori Bennett of Salt Lake City, Utah; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one sister, Norma Bennett of Eugene, Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Dona Taylor; and a granddaughter, Shandra Bennett.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at the Murtaugh LDS Church, 23709 Hwy. 30, with Bishop Levi Perkins officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.

In memory of LaVere, the family suggests memorials be directed to a favorite charity.