Former Illini All-American Bennis Dies At Age 95
May 16, 2006 | Football
May 16, 2006
Fighting Illini All-Century Football Player Chuck Bennis died Sunday at his home in Lincoln, Ill. Bennis, a guard who earned All-Big Ten and All-America honors in 1933 and 1934, was co-captain of the 1934 squad, which finished with a 7-1 mark. He was a three-year regular on teams coached by Bob Zuppke, and during the Illinois Football Centennial Celebration in 1990, was voted by fans to the 25-man All-Century Team. Bennis was named "I" Man of the Year in 1978, one year after George Halas earned the award. He had an opportunity to play football professionally with the Chicago Bears after school, but turned down the playing opportunity to coach for Zuppke at Illinois. Bennis was a long-time and generous supporter of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics as a member of the I-Fund. His obituary appears below.
Charles 'Chuck' Bennis
Charles W. "Chuck" Bennis, 95, of Lincoln died at 4:15 a.m. Sunday (May 14, 2006) at home.
A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Holy Family Church, 316 S. Logan St., Lincoln. The Rev. R. Anthony Lee will officiate. Military rites will be accorded. A reception at the Knights of Columbus No. 1250 Hall will be held following the funeral Mass. Cremation rites will be accorded after the funeral Mass. Inturnment will be at a later date at St. Mary's Cemetery, Lincoln.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Peasley Funeral Home, 401 Delavan St., Lincoln. A prayer service will be at 4:45 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
