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BORN

1948

DIED

2023

FUNERAL HOME

Behm Family Funeral Homes - Madison

26 River Street

Madison, Ohio

Dottie Bentley Obituary

Dottie Berbakos Bentley, age 74, of Perry, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at her home while living graciously and courageously with cancer until the very end. She was born December 19, 1948 in Washington DC, the daughter of Nick and Dorothy (Horner) Berbakos. She married Dennis Bentley on February 21, 1981.After graduating from Lake Erie College in 1970 she went on to work for the City of Painesville where she was the 1st Female Urban Renewal Director in the country. At age 22, she ran for Painesville City School Board as a write-in candidate and in 1979, she was nominated for the Lake County Women's Hall of Fame. Dottie then became a Certified Arborist and was owner operator of Berbakos Landscaping and Tree Service. She also served as a certified CSX Railway Safety Trainer. Her passion for helping others and her love for animals led her to open and manage Evergreen Farms, a horse boarding facility, in 1999, where she lovingly cared for many horses over the years. She loved 4H, and was an advisor for over 15 years because she believed in the values and the opportunities it provides for youth development. She also served as a board member for the Painesville Credit Union for 12 years where she not only believed in the credit union philosophy of "people helping people", but she also worked to ensure that it stayed as a top priority in every aspect of the organization. A lover of red lipstick, paying it forward, the sunshine, and laughter. She is survived by her husband, Dennis; children, Nick (Morgan) Bentley, Dorothy (Jarred Taylor) Bentley, Michael Bentley, Dennis "Ron" (Heather) Bentley; grandchildren, Marissa Bentley, Dylan Bentley, and Hannah Bentley. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Michael Bentley, her parents and sister, Nicki Leon.Friends will be received 4-7 pm Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Behm Family Funeral Home, 26 River St., in Madison. A celebration of life will be held Friday, March 17th, 2023 from 4-8, at the Youth & Community Center at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1301 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lake County 4H, 105 Main Street 4B, Painesville, Ohio 44077. When sending a check, please write "In Memory of Dottie Bentley" in the memo. Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by News-Herald from Mar. 3 to Mar. 5, 2023.

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4 Entries

Kathleen Schrauder

March 8, 2023

Dottie was such a wonderful woman. Our years watching our daughters learning to ride at Roosevelt Stables were some of the best times. She will always have a special place in my heart. Prayers for her family.

Donna Gordyan (Fankhauser)

March 7, 2023

Dear Denny,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our mom loved you two very much. Denny, you always made our mom laugh! You & Dottie were so kind to her after our Dad passed!
She always told me when you had dropped in to visit. You two brightened her day on those little visits I have a vision of our mom greeting Dottie with a hug as she enters Heaven, just as you always gave her a hug. Dottie was quite a lady on so many different levels and will be missed, but also, remembered. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. Donna

Brenda jean harvey

March 3, 2023

Dottie Bently was so very kind to me. I met her through the credit union as I attended many of their functions.
May your family be comforted in knowing she was loved by many.
Brenda Harvey

Ken Keckler

March 3, 2023

What a loss. A wonderful woman; sharp, organized, down to earth, a great sense of humor, and love for animals. I wish I´d known Dottie much longer. I enjoyed working for her and will miss her.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

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Memorial Events
for Dottie Bentley

Mar

9

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Behm Family Funeral Homes - Madison

26 River Street, Madison, OH 44057

Mar

17

Celebration of Life

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Youth & Community Center, Lake County Fairgrounds

1301 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, OH

Funeral services provided by:

Behm Family Funeral Homes - Madison

26 River Street, Madison, OH 44057

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