Joseph Bennett, Jr.

Joseph Edward Bennett Jr., 57, of Paw Paw passed away at his home on August 28, 2026. He was born on September 4, 1968, in Kalamazoo to Joe and Barbara Bennett. His younger brother, Steven, was born two years later.

As a child, Joe participated in many extracurricular activities. His first favorite was Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do karate where he achieved his black belt at the age of 10. Joe would return to the sport in his 40's, introducing it to his kids as well. He eventually achieved his 3rd degree black belt (3rd Dan). His teen favorite activity was Boy Scouts, spending many summers camping or working at Rota Kiwan Scout Reservation. He was always proud of earning his Eagle Scout badge. His later teen years also saw Joe taking a leadership role in his church, serving on the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo's Diocesan Council on Youth (DCY). This was also important as it was how he and Sherry met.

Joe met his future wife, Sharon (Sherry) Anderson, during a church retreat at age 15. They bumped into one another occasionally during high school, so they were comfortable sitting next to each other at their very first college class at Western Michigan University. Sherry jokes that "I thought he liked me, and he thought I liked him… so we stopped talking to each other." That awkwardness stopped when a year later, during a computer programming class, they started dating. Joe went on to graduate from WMU, spending his entire career in the Information Technology field. Joe and Sherry were married in June of 1994. They eventually settled in Paw Paw, Michigan where they raised 5 children.

Besides his family, Joe's other great love was being a magician. He caught the bug in his 20's and it never stopped. Everyone knew that the first week in August, he could be found in Colon, MI at Abbott's Magic Get Together. There he made lifelong friends all over the world. Joe enjoyed collaborating with magicians and mentoring magicians new to the art. Joe eventually created his own magic business and performed most weekends.

Joe is survived by his wife, Sherry, and children Joseph III, Eric Terry (Erika Encarnacion), Matthew, Daniel, and Marie (Christian Johnson). Also surviving are his parents Joseph and Barbara, brother Steven (Shelly), and a wonderful extended Bennett, Randall, and Anderson family.

Family will receive friends Saturday, September 5 at Langeland Family Funeral Home, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Visitation will start at 10:00 am, and the funeral will be at 11:00 am. Rev. Ruth Moerdyk, celebrant. In the weird and wonderful spirit of Joe Bennett Jr. we ask that you wear a Hawaiian shirt or other colorful outfit.

Following the service, please join the family for lunch and the sharing of stories. The broken wand ceremony will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joe's memory may be director to the American Museum of Magic 107 E Michigan Ave, Marshall, MI 49068 or the American Heart Association - Michigan 26555 Evergreen Rd #570, Southfield, MI 48076.

Please visit Joe's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com