ROCHESTER – Jessie L. Bentley, 74, of Mentone, passed away at 7:30 a.m. May 31, 2012, in Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw.
She was born April 17, 1938, in Wheelwright, Ky., one of 13 children of Thomas and Sylvania Johnson Wright. On Jan. 11, 1958, in Bypro, Ky., she married Whitten “Bud” Bentley, who died Feb. 25, 2004.
She was a resident of Mentone and the Kosciusko County community for more than 50 years. She was a homemaker and enjoyed crocheting and knitting for her family and friends. Bud and her worked together, he tended to the garden and she canned the bountiful harvest. She was also an avid bowler. To relax she would sit down and write poetry, and later the family added her words to music creating beautiful songs. She worked at Mentone Egg for several years.
She will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Teresa Newcomer and Karen Bentley, both of Mentone; seven grandchildren: Anthony (and spouse Katie) Newcomer, Akron; Erika Newcomer and Heather and Tiffany Bentley, all of Mentone; Brandon (and spouse Stefanie) Newcomer and Keesha Clark, both of Silver Lake; Tanisha Powers, Cave Run, Ky.; 14 great-grandchildren; and expecting the blessing of three more in October. She also was preceded in death by her parents; six great-grandchildren who were infant angels born into Heaven; 11 sisters and a brother: twins Billy Wright and Lilly Isacc, Dorsie Johnson, Mildred Burke, Millie Avalos, Geneva Holbrook, Pearlie Bentley, Annie Smith, Gracie Gillman, Rosie McCall, Gracie Shefflan and infant Nina Wright.
A celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Burial will be in Mentone Cemetery.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Condolences may be sent via www.goodfamilyfh.com
