Helen Irene Bentley

Helen Irene Bentley our beloved Mother joined our Dad, Harold F. Bentley on October 15, 2020. She lived a long and faith filled life surrounded by loving family for 92 years. She was born on May 6, 1928 on the family farm in Snover, Michigan. She was the fourth child of Edward and Carrie (Philpot) Smith. Three elder brothers predeceased her, Clarence, Charlie and Carl. Mom had many precious memories in the thumb area, she often told stories of her adventures on the family farm.

Helen graduated in 1946 from Sandusky High School. After graduation she was proud of her work as a clerk for the Sanilac County Judge and as a secretary in the Department of Veterans Affairs, discharging soldiers as they came home from World War II. She met Harold when she was 14 while taking guitar lessons. They were married on June 19, 1949, shortly after Harold was discharged from the army. Helen created a warm loving home with iron clad rules to nurture her brood of five children towards faithful and successful lives. She enjoyed gardening, canning and preserving food, long Sunday drives and visiting with family. She enjoyed the adventure of searching out her family roots. Helen worked on crosswords and jig saw puzzles when gardening became difficult.

Helen was a long time member of Sheridan Avenue United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. Mom played basketball on an early girl’s high school basketball team and loved playing softball until middle age. She was a faithful MSU and Detroit Tigers fan her entire life.

Surviving her, are her five children: Kathryn (David) Louks, Dr. Wayne Bentley PHD, Rev. Evans (Betsy) Bentley, Larry (Janet) Bentley, Mary Helen (Mark) Breuer; eleven grandchildren; two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will take place at 11:45 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2020 at Kranz Funeral Home (6850 Main Street, Cass City, Michigan, 48726). Rev. Evans Bentley will officiate. Burial will follow at Elkland Twp Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at Kranz Funeral Home. Due to the world wide health pandemic, building capacity is limited, face covers are required and social distancing will be encourage. We appreciate everyone’s efforts to reduce the spread of Covid- 19 in our community. Those planning an expression of sympathy may consider memorials to Shabbona United Methodist Church (4455 Decker Road, Decker, Michigan, 48426) where Helen and Harold where united in marriage or Disabled American Vets (Varo McNamara Fed Bldg, 477 Michigan Avenue, Room 1200, Detroit, Michigan 48226).