Lawrence L. "Larry" Bentz

News Death Notice

BENTZ, Lawrence (Larry) L. passed from this life at the Gettysburg Lutheran Home on February 9, 2010. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Irene Mae Bentz, in 1995. He is survived by a son, Lee and wife Jean of Gettysburg and a daughter Linda Hayes of Thornhill, TN. Grandchildren include Reverend Daniel Bentz and wife Kim of Mason, MI, Michael Bentz and wife Debbie of Fayetteville, PA, Mark Sauer and wife Debbie of Blandon, PA and Lori Brewer of Mooresburg, TN. Great-grandchildren include Andrew Bentz and wife Ashley, David Bentz and Rebekah Bentz all of Michigan; Zachary Sauer and Jessica Sauer of Pennsylvania and Bryan Sauer preceded him in death. Mr. Bentz was born March 31, 1916 in Dillsburg, PA. He graduated from the former Dillsburg High School in 1933. He received his BS degree in Chemistry from Dickinson College, in Carlisle, PA in 1937 where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. He was employed by DuPont Chemical Co, Grasselli Chemical Division, Newark, NJ as a Chemist and Assistant Supervisor of Contact Sulfuric acid production from 1937-1946. He moved on to Monsanto Chemical Co., Dayton OH, employed as a Research Chemist and a Supervisor with the Atomic Energy Commission until his retirement in 1974. He was a member of the American Chemical Society. Larry was an active member of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Dayton, OH for 50 years, where he served as a Deacon, serving two terms on the Session. During his second term he was a Chairman of the Evangelistic Committee. He also chaired the Cub Scout Committee, helping to establish a Cub Scout Pack at the church. He was a member of the Bell Choir and sang in the Senior Choir until he retired to live with his son in Gettysburg. While here he was a member of the Gettysburg United Methodist Church. Larry was also active in the Dayton-Kettering community serving as a volunteer for the Emergency Services Program (ESP) distributing donated food, clothing and furniture to those in need. Larry was a loving and generous father who will be missed by family and friends. Services will be held Saturday, February 13, 2010, at 2:00 pm in the Tobias Funeral Home, Inc., 5471 Far Hills Ave., Dayton, OH with a viewing from 1-2 pm. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in the Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Presbyterian Church, Smithville Rd., Dayton, OH. An online guestbook can be signed at www.cocklinfuneralhome.com