Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
John H. Bentley, 73, of Fort Pierce passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach.
He was born September 19, 1948 in Boone, North Carolina to Clyde and Virginia ( Hampton) Bentley. John spent his childhood in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains area. Upon graduating from high school at 17, John left Boone and traded bluegrass for the bright sunny beaches of Florida. There he lived in Vero Beach until 2003 when he relocated to Fort Pierce.
John served in the United States Army and following his time in the service he began working for airplane manufacturer, Piper Aircraft, in Vero Beach. He retired from Piper after 50 years of service as an Aircraft Inspector. John’s hard work and dedication to his career inspired his daughter Angelia to work for the company. Angelia has followed in her father’s footsteps and is her 23rd year employed with Piper Aircraft.
John had a special relationship with his grandchildren, Aydan and Kayla. He was more than just a grandfather. He was a father figure, a friend, role model and even a dance partner. He wanted to provide them with a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen and to teach them respect and responsibility. He taught both Aydan and Kayla how to drive. Driving became a treasured pastime for them. He and Aydan would go driving around, making day trips to local towns or to the gun range for some target practice. There he shared with Aydan his enthusiasm for firearms. With Kayla he showed his softer side and escorted her to Father/ Daughter dances. It wasn’t all dress up with Kayla; however, she and John would often watch Formula One racing with one another. John rooted for driver Lewis Hamilton. Though Kayla doesn’t share in her grandfather’s tastes in drivers, watching the races together was a fun, exciting competitive event that the family enjoyed.
In addition to spending time with his grandchildren John was a fan of classic Westerns. He was known to record them and encourage Aydan to watch them.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Belinda and dog Molli ;daughter, Angelia Bentley of Vero Beach; grandson, Aydan Tyson; granddaughter, Kayla Tyson; brother, Byron Bentley of St. Lucie County; sisters, Shirley (John) Thomas of Boone, North Carolina; Barbara Hollers of Vero Beach and Mertis Auton of Palm Bay.
John was preceded in the death by his parents; brothers, Rhea and Harley Bentley and sister, Gail Bentley.
Memorial contributions in honor of John you may do so at the Salvation Army at https://give.salvationarmyflorida.org.
Those who would like to share a fond memory of John or leave condolences for his family an online guestbook can be signed at www.millenniumcremationservice.com. Arrangements are under the care of Millennium Cremation Service of Vero Beach.
Our caring professionals are here to assist you and your family during this difficult time. We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to assist in immediate arrangements or pre-arrangements.
Patricia Riley
March 23, 2022, 8:33 pm
Belinda, Angelia and family,
I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of John. My thoughts and Prayers are with you all. May God bless you all during this very difficult time.
Patricia Riley and Family
Patricia Riley
March 23, 2022, 8:56 pm
Belinda, Angelia and Family,
I am very sorry to hear about the passing of John. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you the strength during this very difficult time.
Love and Prayers
Patricia Riley and family
Stuart McSorley
March 23, 2022, 9:55 pm
A fine man and one of life’s true characters. I really enjoyed my brief spell working alongside him and listening to the many tales of times past. My condolences
Stuart Mc
Guy Turner
March 23, 2022, 10:58 pm
Belinda, Angelia, Aydan, Kayla, and family, I can’t begin to describe how much I will miss John. He was one of my best buddies, I could talk to him about anything and often did. We shared a lot of Piper experiences, gun shows, crazy car stories, and range visits. With my retirement coming up, I had planned to see more of John, but I guess that is not to be. He will be in my thoughts always.
Guy Turner
March 23, 2022, 11:07 pm
Belinda, Angelia, Aydan, Kayla, and family, I can’t begin to describe how I will miss John. We shared Piper experiences, gun shows, crazy car stories, and days at the range. I could talk to him about anything, and we often did. With my approaching retirement, I was planning to see more of John, but that will never be. Believe that I will still talk to him as I need. Kitty and I wish you all the best in the hard times ahead. Please reach out if we can be of any help.
Peggy Williams
March 23, 2022, 11:46 pm
My thoughts and condolences, prayers to Belinda, Angelia, grandkids and brother and sisters.
He was a great friend and man.
Peggy Williams
Sharon Bracci
March 24, 2022, 1:22 am
My thoughts and Prayers for the family
I worked at Piper for 20 years before I retired and John was a very nice man and very much respected. He will greatly be missed
God bless the family.
Patrick Swift
March 24, 2022, 3:42 am
To John’s Family: I’m truly sorry for your loss! I worked with John for several years, always considered him a friend and mentor when we both worked in Piper Quality many years ago. I visited the plant and spoke with John in approximately 2006. He was a good and honest man.
Oh…I’ll never forget him saving the life of a woman when her car stalled on the RR tracks at, I believe 16th street, I believe he was able to push her car clear of being struck by the train with the woman driver paralyzed by fear. John also shared a story with me about a time he was a crew member on a military cargo plane, a vehicle came loose and rolled into the door/ramp…John started the vehicle in the running airplane, pulled the vehicle forward and then used wet towels to stop the pressure leak at the door created by the moving vehicle. The wet towels froze when exposed to the very cold outside air temperature the resulting ice effectively sealed the leak and allowed the cabin to maintain pressure.
Diane Shoaf
March 24, 2022, 11:28 am
I’m So very sorry for your loss , you are in my thoughts and prayers. Diane Shoaf.
Bob and Lynda Ford
March 24, 2022, 12:15 pm
Belinda, Angelia and all of John’s Family members,
May the Angel of peace be with you all to comfort you all on this sad time of John’s passing.
Bob and Lynda Ford
Janet mock-weaver
March 24, 2022, 1:29 pm
To the Bentley Family, my sincere condolences and prayers to you all. A great man and many memories you will have of him.
marjetta timm
March 24, 2022, 4:23 pm
My condolence to the Bentley family you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mike Clifford
March 24, 2022, 10:22 pm
I am at a loss for words. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to John’s family. A life well lived and a great friend to many. Rest in Peace dear friend.
Luis camacho
March 25, 2022, 2:17 am
John Bentley was a very good man an excellent employee Piper a very good dad he served 49 years of his life to Piper aircraft we will miss him prayers for the family and God May hold him in a good place
Diane Ramsey
March 25, 2022, 12:35 pm
Belinda, Angelia and Family,
I’m truly sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you the strength during this very difficult time.
Joe and Diane Ramsey
John Hambleton
March 25, 2022, 3:24 pm
Belinda, Angelia and Family,
Please accept my deepest condolences for your family’s loss. My thoughts are with you and your family as you grieve the loss of your loved one. I hope that as your family processes this loss, you can walk through it together. May you also find comfort in the memories you shared with John. From my family and me, please accept our deepest sympathies.
John & Charlene Hambleton
Dallas Wehner
March 26, 2022, 1:04 am
My deepest sympathy to John’s family. John was such a great guy. His quick dry wit and mischievous personality was so up lifting. I will remember our conversations fondly and am glad to count John as a friend. Belinda, Angelia and Grandkids, remember John will always be with in your memories and your hearts and he walks through life right beside you. John’s legacy will be his honest straight forward approach to life and his complete devotion to his family. Rest in Peace, Friend and God Bless you and your family.
nancy cordeiro
March 26, 2022, 6:41 pm
Belinda & Angelia…i keep you all in my prayers….im not sure how others cope with death without knowing the Lord, rest assured theres no more pain and suffering for him.
God Bless you…
Nancy Cordeiro
Gary and Angela Ewers
March 29, 2022, 7:38 am
Belinda, Angelia and family,
Our deepest condolences from our family to yours, for your loss of John. He will forever be missed by us all. I personally have so many memories of working with John. His stories of him working with my dad , and the stories of my Dad’s, working with John are forever treasured in my heart. I know he loved his grand children because of how he would light up when talking about them. He was the most honest and sincere person i new. You all are in my prayers. I know John is not suffering now and is at peace.
Gary and Angela Ewers
The melton
March 31, 2022, 10:56 pm
My condolence to the family I have good memories of john , such a funny man and the great stories .
Prayers to the family , Belinda , Angelia, Ayden, Kayla
Randy, Carolyn Melton
Fred Lewis
September 11, 2022, 12:49 am
Farewell to one of my brothers from our days in the U.S. Army. Thanks for the laughs and the friendship.