Rose Bennett
East Saint Louis | Save
It is with great love and deep sadness that we share Rose M. Bennett, nee Flake, 90, has entered her eternal home with Jesus her Lord on Friday, November 28, 2025, passing peacefully at her home.
Rose was born on October 7, 1935, in East St. Louis, IL, to Louis and Rachel Flake. Rose was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Belleville, IL and was a member of the parish quilters, helping to make many beautiful quilts over the years. Rose loved crocheting and made sure everyone in the family had at least one afghan and dozens of beautiful Christmas ornaments.
Rose graduated from St. Teresa Academy in 1953. She started her 35-year career with Southwestern Bell in 1956 as a service representative and retired as an executive in charge of writing management training materials with an office on the 35th floor.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Rachel, nee Simpson, Flake; six brothers and sisters, Roland Flake (Joan), Louis Flake (Eileen), Robert Flake, Joseph Flake (Doris), Dolores Howard (John), and Elaine Elrod (Dan); and beloved nieces and nephews.
Rose is survived by her daughters, Julie Bennett and Karen Zeller; a son-in-law, John C. Zeller; two grandchildren, John M. Zeller and Daniel Zeller (Tiffany); three step-grandchildren, Eve (Zeller) Knipp (Kevin), Amanda (Zeller) Pierce (Paul), and John W. Zeller; six great-grandchildren, Braiden Zeller, Marley Pierce, Vanessa Zeller, Izabella Knipp, Gavin Pierce, and Cameron Zeller; a special niece and nephew, Donna Roper and Robert Flake; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friend, Shirley Matthews.
Special thanks to Joan Reuter who brought her Holy Communion every month after she was unable to attend Mass and to Fr. Bill McGhee for bringing her the comfort of last rites.
We would also like to thank Hospice of Southern Illinois for the extraordinary care given in Mom's final days.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, December 6, 2025, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 6, 2025, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL.
Renner Funeral Home
