Thema Bennett, 77

Thema Irene Bennett, age 77, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, August 13, 2021 at her home in Kalamazoo.
Thema was born on December 31, 1943 in Sturgis to William Harold Harris and Pauline (Diehm) Harris. She graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1962 and went on to attend Parson’s Business School in Kalamazoo.
In 1963 Thema married William Willer of Sturgis. They divorced in 1982. She later married Gerald P. Bennett of Kalamazoo. They divorced in 1992.
Thema was the proud mother of three children: Lori (Willer) Kahila and her husband Kevin of Mattawan, Michael Willer and his wife Debbie (Dekker) of Piperton, TN and Cindi (Willer) Woessner and her husband David of Portage. She spent their growing up years as an involved mother in such roles as classroom helper, lunch aid, recess supervisor, library volunteer and girl scout leader. She was always willing to have neighborhood kids in her home and yard.
She was a loving, supportive grandmother to Annemarie (Kahila) Garber and her husband Phil, Adele (Kahila) Koopsen and her husband Joe, Alex Kahila and his wife Jenna (Smith), Abel Kahila, Alise Kahila, Drew Willer, Seth Willer, Grace Willer, Jacob Woessner, Jonathan Woessner, and Joshua Woessner. She rarely missed one of their events whether it was sports, concerts, robotics, musicals, talent shows, graduations, weddings, or baby showers. Her heart was fully invested in her family and she was especially delighted to become Great Grandmother to Emma and Henry Garber and Rowan Koopsen.
Thema loved to travel and see new things, and her adventures took her far and wide: Mackinaw Island, Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, the Great Smokey Mountains where she climbed to the top of Klingman’s Dome, The Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC, Historic Stillwater, MN, Traverse City, Walt Disney World in Florida, The Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Boston, where she experienced whale watching, Chicago where she enjoyed two full seasons of Broadway Shows, and the Creation Museum of Kentucky. Her drives to the shore of Lake Michigan were a favorite day trip, and the waterfalls of the Upper Peninsula were on the list for her next longer adventure.
Thema loved music of all kinds, especially gospel and hymns. She played many different instruments and owned her own music store in Portage at one time. She especially loved playing her Omnichord, and took it to nursing homes and churches for sing-a-longs and hymn sings.
She was a firm believer in Jesus Christ, and her faith gave her great comfort and joy. She was an avid admirer of God’s creation, and enjoyed photographing sunsets, flowers, wildlife, snowflakes, and birds. She particularly enjoyed a pair of mourning doves that regularly nested on her balcony.
Thema was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson: Aaron Kahila, her brothers: Charles Harris, Harold “Punk” Harris, and Ben Harris.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, her sister: Retha Hackett Lancaster of Burr Oak, her brothers: Dave (Candy) Harris of Burr Oak, and Denny (Jeanie) Harris of White Pigeon as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.
Thema was a loving mother, a supportive friend, a committed prayer partner, and a creative soul that scattered love and joy wherever she went. She will be greatly missed by many, and those who knew her can say they were truly blessed.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331 and from 9:30 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the Berean Baptist Church, 7813 S 12th St, Portage, MI 49024 where services celebrating the life of Thema I. Bennett will immediately follow the visitation. In accordance with her wishes cremation will follow the service. Private burial of the ashes will take place at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak at a later date.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation consider Camp Barakel, 1798 Shear Lake Road, Fairview, MI 48621.
The full obituary and life story is at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where we encourage relatives and friends to share memories and leave condolences for the family.