Sgt. Kevin Blaine Bennett, 36

Sgt. Kevin Blaine Bennett, 36, of Sagle, Idaho, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle.

Memorial services was conducted at 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at Real Life Ministries, 1866 N Cecil Road, in Post Falls, Idaho, with Pastor Chad Wilks of the Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene officiating.

Private family interment will take place in Pinecrest Memorial Park in Sandpoint.

Kevin was born Jan. 27, 1977, in Toppenish, Wash., the son of Blaine and Mary Jane Bennett. He graduated from Richland High School in 1995 and from Boise State University with a degree in criminal justice administration in 1999.

He joined the Idaho State Police and went through the academy in 2000. He was stationed in North Idaho and attained the rank of sergeant in October 2012.

He was a drug enforcement instructor and served on the ISP SWAT team.

His professional career was only one aspect of his life. As a young man he was involved with child evangelism and sharing Christ was a lifelong pursuit. He started Guardian Angel, a church security firm, and then shortly before receiving his diagnosis helped to establish The Lazarus Commission with the dream of forging strategic long-term partnerships to serve and empower those among the least reached and neglected peoples of the world.

He was a long time stalwart at the Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene, served on the board of Sandpoint Christian School for nine years and took mission trips to the Ukraine and to Haiti.

Kevin enjoyed fly fishing, water fowling, spending time outdoors, reading, cooking and baking. He was not afraid of trying anything new whether building his home in Naples, or trying a new recipe for the family.

He loved all kids and they flocked to him wherever he went.

Whatever he participated in he excelled at it. But the thing that surpassed them all was first, his love for Christ, but closely followed by his love for his beloved wife JoLynn whom he married on Aug. 15, 1998, in Richland, Wash., and for his family.

He was a terrific beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle.

Kevin is survived by his wife JoLynn of Sagle; his children: KelliJo, Blaine, and Koen all of Sagle; his parents: Blaine and Mary Jane Bennett of Meridian, Idaho; brother: Ryan (Anavic) Bennett of Camas, Wash.; his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Cynthia Day-Phalen of Kennewick, Wash.; brother and sister-in-law: Michael (Ronica) Bishop of West Richland, Wash.; grandparents: Pauline Bennett of Albany, Ore., Roy and Sammie Day of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; and six nieces and nephews: Micah, William, Michael, John, Judah, and Emily.

The family suggests memorials to the Lazarus Commission, 3719 Grandview, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864.

JoLynn would like you to share stories of Kevin that will be put into a booklet for his children at Kevin’s online guest book at http://www.coffeltfuneral.com

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.