Ronald Merl Bennett (1947-2025)

Ronald Merl Bennett, 77, of Woodland Park, Colo., passed away on Sept. 1, 2025.

Born on Nov. 19, 1947, in Emporia, Kan., Ronald was the son of Elmer and Opal Bennett and was raised in Ellsworth, Kan. He was a proud graduate of Ellsworth High School, where he played trumpet in the school band, beginning a lifelong love of music.

Ronald served in the National Guard for six years before embarking on a career in the automotive industry. After living in Kansas and later Kearney, Neb., for 14 years, he moved to Woodland Park, Colo., in 1988. He worked in Colorado Springs as a car salesman before establishing his own business as a wholesale car dealer, a profession he successfully ran for over 30 years.

Ronald was passionate about cars, especially Fords, and was known for always owning a Corvette. He also enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and sharing his enthusiasm for vehicles with friends and family.

In 1968, Ronald married Jana Miller, with whom he shared 44 years of marriage until her passing in 2012. He is survived by his daughter Misty Smith and her husband Greg, Baker, Fla.; his two grandchildren Lily and Andrew Smith; his son Scott Bennett; his wife Lisa, Dunn Center, N.D.; and his sister and brother-in-law, Terry and Sandra Donley, Ellsworth.
Ronald will be remembered for his love of cars, music and family, and for the joy and humor he brought into the lives of those who knew him.

A funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Wilson, Kan., on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, at 11 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ellsworth High School band, honoring Ronald’s love of music and his time as a proud trumpet player during his high school days. Donations may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, P.O. Box 533, Wilson, KS 67490.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.