Bennie Dean Stott

Visitation:  4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 7, 2018 with Masonic Rites at 6:30 p.m.                Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home               11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Wednesday, August 8, 2018                First Christian Church, Columbus, IN   Funeral:   1:00 p.m.  Wednesday, August 8, 2018                First Christian Church, Columbus, IN         Burial:      Garland Brook Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Bartholomew County Veteran's Honor GuardMemorials:  Hospice of South Central Indiana, Parkison's Foundation,                   Dementia Society of America, Indiana Masonic Home Foundation. Bennie Dean Stott, 87, passed away on August 1, 2018, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility after a long struggle with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Visitation is Tuesday August 7, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with Masonic Rites, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home, 3855 E 25th St, Columbus. Funeral service will be held August 8, 1:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 531 5th St, Columbus, with calling from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. before the service. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery, with military honors by Bartholomew Co. Veterans Honor Guard. Bennie was born on August 14, 1930 in Westport, Indiana to Ben and Opal Stott. Because his father passed away when he was four years old, he and his brothers lived in the Indiana Masonic Home for some time while his mother studied to become a beautician and started her own business. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1948, then served in the U.S. Navy. When he was discharged, he worked at the Bob-O-Link restaurant in Columbus, where he met his wife, Carolyn Evans Stott. They were married on December 6, 1954, at First Christian Church, Columbus. She passed away in February 2018. Bennie worked in the restaurant and catering business for many years, including managing Lafayette House Catering and operating the Walnut Room at the Elks Club. In 1972, he purchased the former Davis Grill on Seventh Street, and owned it as Bennie’s Restaurant until his retirement in 1998. He also owned the former Lib’s Nook on Washington Street and the lunch counter at Northside Drugs during that time. He was well known for his fried chicken and fried biscuits he served every Thursday, Big Ben tenderloin sandwiches, and his pies made from his own recipes. Bennie delighted in giving bags of candy to children who came to the restaurant. He was always a good friend to the local police, and worked with churches to provide meals to the homeless and indigent. No one left his restaurant hungry, even if they couldn’t pay. After retirement, he continued making his famous pies and soups at Sadie’s Restaurant. He was a member of  First Christian Church, the Order of Eastern Star, Hartsville Chapter #550 and a Master Mason. Bennie enjoyed antique collecting throughout his life and was a member of the Columbus Antique Club. He dearly loved his family and took great pleasure in cooking huge feasts for family gatherings at holidays. He is survived by daughters, Dana (Don) Beyer and Sherry (Rick) Galbreath; son, Chris Stott; grandchildren, Evan Beyer and Kate (Jeb) Rendall; brother, Billie (Jeannie) Stott; nephews, Bill Stott, Mike Stott, David Best, Dale Best; niece, Marva Evans; and several great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Robert Stott and Jackie Stott. Memorials may be made to the Indiana Masonic Home, Dementia Society of America, Parkinson's Foundation, or Our Hospice of Central Indiana.