Patrick Lynn Bentley

Patrick Lynn Bentley, 72, passed away in his home in Mattawan on July 4th, 2023.  He was born March 6, 1951, in Paw Paw the son of the late Robert Bentley and Lenore (Martin) Bentley. Patrick was a 1969 graduate of Lawton High School where he was a standout track and field athlete and football player, including All State Honorable Mention as a kickoff returner. Patrick went on to study business at Western Michigan University.

In the mid-1970’s, he began a career in insurance and financial planning that lasted forty-three years. In that work, Patrick assisted countless families in safeguarding their assets, lives, and properties through his insurance work. He relished securing the future for others through that work.  He was also recognized repeatedly for his professional achievements as an outstanding salesman and counselor throughout his career by his industry peers.

After attending Western Michigan University in the early 1970’s, Patrick married the love of his life, Linda Mejia, in 1972. Together, they had four sons. As a father and husband, Patrick found his true calling as he dedicated himself to the pursuits, happiness, and health of his wife and four sons. This dedication to family often took form through his love of sport and history.

He consistently and continuously emphasized the importance of understanding history to his four sons. To that end, he spent many family trips exploring Civil War battlefields with them to bring home the realizations and lessons of history. He never failed to recognize the humanity laying within it all.

As to sport, Patrick took his passion for competition and taught his sons daily about the importance of work ethic, perseverance, teamwork, and pride in one’s work. He spent countless hours coaching them in baseball, soccer, basketball, track, and hockey, and went on to assist in their high school and college programs by volunteering in a variety of roles. Whatever was needed, Patrick provided for his sons to flourish. He even went as far as to establish and coach a middle school track team, to enhance their development as track and field athletes. This is where they all eventually excelled.

Patrick also took this passion for sports beyond his family and coached literally hundreds of other children in numerous sports over the decades. In particular, before establishing a middle school track team in Mattawan, Patrick brought the Hershey’s Track and Field program to the region where he helped many other children discover and develop their athletic and competitive capacities.

He never wavered to assist on any front, including as a stalwart of Trinity Lutheran Church where he was instrumental in establishing the pre-school and as the Chairman of the Board for the elementary school there. He also served as a youth group leader for several years where he, again, guided young people. All in all, Patrick’s life was one of selfless service to his family and community. He will be sorely, sorely missed.

Patrick is survived by his wife, Linda Bentley, and four sons, Jason (Edita) Bentley, Michael (Nicole) Bentley, Justin (Lauren) Bentley and Lance Bentley; eight grandchildren, Julian Bentley, Agne (Peter) Binderyte-Martinez, Samanta (Asad) Binderyte-Ansari, Aubree Bentley, Ethan Bentley, Jacob Bentley, Cole Ledford and Maverick Bentley along with one brother, Anthony (Mary) Bentley and numerous cousins.

Family and friends are invited to visit Monday, July 10, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Avenue, Paw Paw.  Funeral services will follow on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 721 Pine Street, Paw Paw, with Pastor Phillip Phifer officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Lawton.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Lutheran School.