Howard Jackson Bennage was born July 19, 1913, to Harry S. and Clara (Pittman) Bennage in Moberly, Missouri.

At a very young age, his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he attended schools, including Murphy School and Phoenix Union High School.

Following high school, Howard joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. (CCC) and worked on projects at Papago Park and South Mountain Parks in Phoenix.

In the early 1930s, his CCC unit was sent to help extinguish coal fires near Gillette. It was here that he met his future wife, Alberta Kee. They were married in 1936, and were together until her death in 2000.

Other than a brief stint as a welder in a Navy shipyard at Marin, California, Howard spent the next 26 years in Gillette, where he owned and operated Bennage Chevrolet Co. and several other businesses.

In 1962, Howard and Alberta purchased a ranch outside Lander. They retired from ranching in 1979, and moved to a farm near Marionville, Missouri, that had been in his family since the mid-1800s.

Following Alberta’s death, Howard moved back to Gillette. There he resided in his own home, the Beehive Home and Pioneer Manor until his death Sept. 25, 2014.

He is survived by his children, Elizabeth Cottrell of Gillette, Kathleen Pederson of Peoria, Arizona, Virginia Geer of Gillette and Jim Bennage of Sheridan and Glendale, Arizona, were born in Gillette; grandchildren, Dave (Janet) Czapla, Doug (Lisa) Czapla, Kevin (Keeley) Geer and Bryan (Stacy) Geer of Gillette, Kristen (Tom) Noe of Kentucky, Russell (Trish) Pederson, Clint Pederson and Trish (Scott) Lehman of Big Timber, Montana, and Gary (Amy) Bennage and Kevin (Vanessa) Bennage of Sheridan; 25 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Richard and Joy; one great-great grandchild; and his loving wife, Alberta.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in Gillette. Viewing will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the same location.

Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home, Sheridan, Wyoming.

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