Arthur "Art" Bennett Jr., age 81 of Freesoil, Michigan, died Saturday morning, July 16, 2022 at his home in Freesoil, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Manistee, Michigan on February 27, 1941 and was the son of the late Pauline (Rosenow) Vartyak and Arthur Bennett Sr. Art married Sandra Kay Ake on March 21, 1959 in Manistee, Michigan. They celebrated over 53 years of marriage together, before her death on August 17, 2012. In his younger years, Art was employed as a Bell Hop at the Chippewa Hotel in Manistee, a job he always talked about. But most of his life, Art was employed as a painter, having been self employed for a number of years and also worked with the painter's union, where he was the union's business representative for many years. Art had also sailed on the Great Lakes and registered on March 6, 1959, with the U.S Merchant Marines.

He was a member of the Manistee Eagles Lodge since 1964, where he was a past president of the club when it still existed. He was a Life Friends Member of the V.F.W. Post #4499 of Manistee since December 14, 2016. In his spare time, Art enjoyed playing golf, bowling, playing pool and traveling.

He is survived by his children; Wendy (Bob) Hartman, David Bennett, Art Bennett III, Mike Bennett, Lisa (Michael) Stokes, his grandchildren; Chad, Kevin, Alisha, Katie, Kimberly, Bryan, Kaitlyn, Morgan, Krystal, Katrina, Rickie Lee and Isabella, 19 great grandchildren and numerous great-great grandchildren.  His brother, Tony Vartyak and his sister, Pauline "Polly" Meister,

Art was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Dean Bennett, his sister's Catherine, and Stephanie, his brothers, Thomas, Theodore and Daniel.

A celebration of life will take place on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee, with burial to follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Freesoil, Michigan. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, one hour prior to the celebration of life.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.