Amelda Bennett

Amelda Kiester Bennett, 92, of Harrisville passed away at 8:40 p.m. Monday at Grove City Medical Center surrounded by her family.

She was born on Sept. 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 seventh in a family of nine. She acquired her nickname “Spud” when her brother, in a family ballgame, said “She runs like Spud Davis (Pirates 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 13. She attended Harrisville High School.

“Spud” and Jim Bennett married in 1939. She enrolled at Slippery Rock University and earned a degree. She later also earned a master's in education. She taught at Portersville Elementary and later at Har-Mer 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 of 75 years. James E. Bennett. The Bennetts have three sons, Robert (Delores), John (Maggie) of Harrisville and James (Susan) of Grove City. The family includes nine grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-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.

BENNETT — Friends of Amelda Kiester Bennett, who died Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, will be received at the Jamison Funeral Home, 117 N. Main St., Harrisville, on Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 443 N. Main St., Harrisville, with pastors Allen Moran and Peter Puliatti officiating.Interment will follow at Prairie Cemetery.Online condolences, flowers and sympathy cards may be sent to the family by visiting www.JamisonFuneralHome.com.