Elloween Ruhl Bennett, 88, a devoted Christian wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother peacefully passed into the Lord's care January 13, 2006.  Born at her home six miles east of Hydro, Oklahoma, May 30, 1917, she was the second child of John and Minnie Ruhl.  She attended Bridgeport Schools through the eighth grade and Hinton High School, where she graduated Valedictorian.  A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, she earned a Master's Degree in French and an Instrumental and Choir Bachelor’s Degree.  In 1939, Elloween attained her first job in Duncan, Oklahoma teaching orchestra.  That move introduced her to Bernard Benjamin Bennett, her future husband.  The two wed January 17, 1940.  In April 1942, the couple’s first child Carolyn Bennett was born.  Elloween resumed her teaching career in November 1942 in Richmond, Oklahoma.  She finished the year for the school’s band director who was drafted for service in World War II.  The following year she directed the band in Vici, Oklahoma finishing the school year for another colleague who chose to serve his country.  She enjoyed a long, distinguished career as an Oklahoma Educator.  Elloween taught 14 years in Seiling, Oklahoma. During this period, the couple celebrated the birth of their second child Cherril Bennett Smith.  Elloween taught an additional 14 years at Taloga, 1 year in Hinton, and was honored as Oklahoma’s Teacher of the Year. Upon retirement, she continued her lifelong interest in young people by providing private music lessons for the next 16 years. Ben and Elloween enjoyed 61 years together before Ben’s death in 2001.  Elloween enjoyed fellowship with family and friends especially her older sister Georgiana.  She was a world traveler, avid bridge player, and devotee of board games played with her grandchildren. 

Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Bennett, Hydro, Cherril Smith and husband Travis, Tuttle, four grandchildren Candy Smith, Tuttle, Jason Smith and  his wife Keena, Oklahoma City, Dusty Smith, Tuttle, Chafferty Smith, Tuttle, one great-grand child, Cassidy Smith, Tuttle, one nephew John Boyles, Aurora, Colorado, and one niece Mary Peach of Monroe, Nebraska. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Ben Bennett, parents John and Minnie Ruhl, and sister Georgia (Ruhl) Boyles.

SERVICES: Bridgeport Methodist Church, Sun., Jan. 15, 2006, Bridgeport, OK

OFFICIATING:  Rev. John Gable and Mr. Eric Vogt

BURIAL: Bethel Cemetery, Hydro, OK under the direction of Hinton-Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, Oklahoma