Donald L. Bentley

Donald Lee Bentley, 84, passed away Christmas morning at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. Don was a graduate of Battle Creek Central's class of 1947. He married his high school sweetheart Charlene Mae Watkins and they lived along side each other for 63 years having two daughters and two grandchildren. He retired at the age of 53 from Michigan Bell Telephone where he took on multiple challenges including the design and overseeing instillation of the entire phone system of Lila Hospital. However, in his retirement, his favorite stories to tell were of his pole climbing days as a lineman. After retiring Don enjoyed spending time with his family. Don worked diligently to help his wife through her battle with Alzheimer's that the lifelong pair had struggled through for the past seven years. He is survived by his wife, Charlene Mae (Watkins) Bentley, Daughters, Melinda June (Bentley) Aldama (Elias), Sandra Lynn (Bentley) Martin (Robert), two grandchildren, Andrew Lee Martin, and Samantha Lynn Martin. Preceding him in death was his sister, Betty (Bentley) MacCreery, his brother, Ralph Bentley Jr., and his parents Ralph and Stella Bentley. His family asks for prayer in this time of loss of a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 2, 2013 at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior to the service, starting at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may choose a charity of choice. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.