DENEEN

James Bennett, age 81, Died May 17, 2012 and was born in Minneapolis, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and David Deneen and a sister, Joan Fast. Jim is survived by his wife, Ginny; sons, Joe (Susan) and Mike (Caren); daughter, Susan (Richard) Fullerton; and 3 grandsons, Colin, Jacob and John. Jim was a gifted artist, mostly self-taught. Among his many acomplishments, he founded Echalon Publishing in Minneapolis, a company that marketed prints of his original paintings of classic cars, trains, WW I and WW II planes all over the world. Consequently he became known as one of America’s best transportation artists. He was inducted into the prestigious NY “Society of Illustrators”. Jim received the Minnesota Aviation Artist Award in 2005 and also had the distinction of having one of his plane paintings hung in the Smithsonian Institute. Jim loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, his family and classical music – it was always playing as he painted. Jim’s memorial service will be held on Wednesay, May 23rd at 11 AM in Faith Covenant Church, 12921 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Missions at Faith Covenant Church. Private interment in Main Prairie Cemetery, Kimball, MN