Obituary index

John Maxwell Bennis Jr.

[June 30, 2007]  VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- John Maxwell "Max" Bennis Jr., 15, died in a boating accident at the summer home he loved at Boyds Mason Lake in Wisconsin on Father's Day, June 17, 2007.

A celebration of Max's life will take place at 11 a.m. July 21 at Spring Branch Community Church, 1500 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. 

Max is survived by his father and mother, John and Gina Bennis (John was raised in Lincoln, Ill.); his sister, Dana Bennis; his grandmother, Jeanne Gallagher of Lincoln, Ill.; his grandfather and grandmother, Joe and Dorothy Marchione; uncles Mike Bennis, Tony, Deane and Joe Marchione; aunts Maria Mills, Sandy Marchione and Helen Bennis; cousin Daniel Bennis; and his uncle and aunt Bob and Kim Bennis along with cousins Zachary and Ellie Bennis, all of Emden, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his uncle Frank Marchione.

Max, a rising sophomore at First Colonial High School, was named the hardest-working English student. He was also a member of the football team. He spent three years in the Young Marines, obtaining the rank of lance corporal, and recently graduated from the Virginia Beach Youth Police Academy.

As an avid sports participant, Max loved surfing, playing basketball, football and baseball. Most of all Max loved his boat and spent countless hours on Boyds Mason Lake in Wisconsin with his family.

The family would like to thank their friends and neighbors for their support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Max Bennis Scholarship Foundation, c/o Sharon Pride at Towne Bank, 2101 Parks Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hdoliver.com.