Madeline R. Bentley

Madeline R. Bentley, 83, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Beacon Hill in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Madeline’s name may be made to the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center. Those wishing to sign Madeline’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Madeline was born August 10, 1937 in Rochester, New York to Orville & Ethel (Murray) Swift. She graduated from Brockport High School, class of 1955 and later Rochester Business Institute. On April 12, 1958 she married John E. Bentley in Brockport, New York. Madeline was employed for many years in managerial positions in New York, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota; including the first woman credit manager with Goodyear Corporation. After moving to St. Joseph, she and John owned & operated Land of Dreams Waterbeds in Benton Harbor. Madeline was an active member of the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center, including 13 years on the board of directors and 8 years as president of the board. In her free time, she enjoyed playing bridge, knitting, and computer games. Madeline was of the highest integrity in whatever she did; and most of all, a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. Madeline is survived by her two sons-John R. (Noemi) Bentley of Grand Rapids, Jim (Renee) Bentley of St. Joseph; two grandchildren-Barbara (Peter) Hamlington & Ian (Amanda) Bentley; his great-granddaughter Ada Hamlington; her sister-in-law Edie Bentley of Windham, New York; and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband John in 2019, her parents, her sisters Sandy and Mary, and brothers Orville, Billy, and Elmer.