01/03/2026
Vivian Lynn Bennett, age 76, of Montpelier, Indiana, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 4:45 p.m. on January 1, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Vivian was born on January 18, 1949, in an unforgettable way, delivered in the back seat of her father’s car with the help of a nurse who happened to be passing by. She was lovingly named after her mother.
In 1971, Vivian joined the United States Navy, where she served as an Aviation Administrator 3rd class. She proudly served her country for four years and remained deeply proud of both her service and her role as a Navy veteran throughout her life.
Vivian met a fellow sailor on New Year’s Eve in 1972. It was a brief meeting, hardly more than a glance. One year later, on New Year’s Eve of 1973, they were set up on a blind date, only to realize they had met exactly one year earlier. On June 1, 1974, Robert “Bob” Leon Bennett Jr. married Vivian Lynn Durfey at NAS Barbers Point in Hawaii, a place that would forever hold a special place in their hearts. Their first child, Alicia Leslie Hollars (Bennett), was born on August 8, 1977, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Five years later, Vivian and Bob welcomed their second daughter, Cheryl Lynn Carnes (Bennett), on April 7, 1982, in San Diego, California.
As a military family, they were stationed in Hawaii, California, Japan, and Tennessee. Bob’s final duty station was Point Mugu, California. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1992, Bob and Vivian returned to his hometown of Montpelier, Indiana.
Vivian loved being a military wife and was equally proud to be a Navy veteran herself. Of all the places she lived and traveled, Hawaii was her “Heaven on Earth” and her favorite place in the world. While stationed in Millington, Tennessee, in 1984, Vivian felt especially blessed when her daughters gained a lifelong friend who became family, Amy Garrison (Dilley).
Vivian was an avid animal lover. She often took her grandchildren to the animal shelter to walk dogs, and throughout her life she never knew a stray cat. Many cats found their way into her home and permanently into her heart.
She was also an avid reader with a sharp eye for detail. Vivian was famously offended by grammatical errors, even in newspapers, and felt compelled to mentally edit anything she read that wasn’t quite right.
Vivian was blessed with ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She could often be found sitting on a park bench, watching her grandchildren play while reading one of her favorite books. She played a vital role in raising her grandchildren and never missed a game or recital. No matter how much trouble they found themselves in, she always showed unconditional love and grace.
Vivian was a firm believer in life after death and was deeply grounded in her faith that this life was not the end. She faithfully attended church services, often with a grandchild by her side.
Vivian will be forever missed by her husband, Robert “Bob” Leon Bennett Jr., of Montpelier, IN; her daughters, Alicia (Matt) Hollars, of Marion, IN, and Cheryl (Jason) Carnes, of Hartford City, IN; her grandchildren, Matthew (Billie) Hollars Jr., Marion, IN; Blake (Katelyn) Hollars, Fairmount, IN; Austin (Bianca) Hollars, Marion, IN; Kyle Hollars, Marion, IN; Angelia (Clayton) Henkle, Geneva, IN; Noah Lopez, Hartford City, IN; Alison Lopez, Geneva, IN; Natalie Carnes, Hartford City, IN; and Julia Carnes, Huntington, IN; her great-grandchildren, Jaxon Hollars, Saylor Hollars, Asher Hollars, Weston Hollars, Teagan Hollars, and Delaney Henkle; her sister, Barbara Ann (John) Virgo, Fountain Valley, CA; and her nephews, Mark (Nicky) Virgo and Kevin (Anthony) Virgo, both of California.
She was preceded in death by her father, Lt. Col. Harry Leslie Durfey; her mother, Vivian Laverine (Dickinson) Durfey; and her grandchild, Kerigan Vivian Carnes.
Family and friends may gather to share memories on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, 109 W. Windsor St., Montpelier, IN. A service to celebrate Vivian’s life will follow with Pastor Ryan Ingram officiating.
Interment will take place on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Marion National Cemetery, Marion, IN. Family and friends may gather at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. for the procession to the cemetery, where military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy.
Arrangements are being handled by Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, Montpelier, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blackford County Animal Shelter.
Vivian Lynn Bennett, age 76, of Montpelier, IN, passed away at 445 PM on January 1, 2026 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on Tuesday, January 18, 1949, in Fort Lee, VA. She married Robert Bob Leon Bennett on Saturday, June 1, 1974 in Nas Barbers
