Local businesswoman, bird watcher, and antique dealer Noma E. Bennett was a lifelong resident of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. She was born in Strongs, lived in Sault Ste. Marie, and later moved to Newberry.

She owned and operated the Sage River Trading Post for more than 15 years and was an avid collector.

Mrs. Bennett was 91 when she passed away at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital Saturday, April 29, 2006.

She was born January 16, 1915, to Wallace and Anna (nee Cadarette) Talbot.

She married Russell Bennett October 9, 1935, in Strongs.

Mr. Bennett preceded her in death July 3, 2003. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, one brother, and her son, Gerald Leon Bennett.

She is survived by two sons and their families, Wallace and Pearl Bennett of Kinross, and Louis and Barb Bennett of Newberry; one daughter and her family, Christine and Tom Wallace of McMillan; six grandchildren and their families, Donna and Larry Porterfield of Rudyard, Shawn and Shawnasy Bennett of Hayden, Indiana, Scott and Michelle Frakes of Gaylord, Sheri and Ron Royer of Rudyard, Ryan Bennett of Marquette, and Sarah and Eric Johnson of Newberry; eight great-grandchildren; and two close friends, Gary and Sally Penning.

Services were conducted by Brad Wilson and Jerome Frandle at Reid Hall in Newberry, Tuesday, May 2. Internment was at Strongs Cemetery. Pallbearers were Andrew Frakes, Scott Frakes, Nathan Porterfield, Zachary Klaty, Ryan Bennett, and Eric Johnson.

Beaulieu Funeral Home of Newberry assisted the family.