Dr. John C. Bentz, Sr.

Dr. John C. Bentz, Sr., age 80 of Morrisville, PA was called home by the Lord and passed away suddenly but peacefully on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at his home. Born in Trenton, NJ, Dr. Bentz was a lifelong Morrisville resident. He also grew up in Surf City, Long Beach Island, NJ and had many fond memories with his family.

Dr. Bentz was a graduate of Villanova University, Class of 1965, where he earned his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. He earned a Master of Science in Engineering and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Bentz enjoyed working as an Aerospace Engineer for the Federal Government, Department of Defense, U.S. Navy for 12 years. He also taught as an Associate Professor at Villanova University for 8 years and worked for United Engineers early in his career. Dr. Bentz was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society, and a lifelong member of the National Geographic Society. Dr. Bentz also served on the Falls Township Environmental Advisory Committee for years. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling around the U.S. to visit family and friends, studying military history, genealogy, attending air shows and traveling to Long Beach Island. One of his favorite family trips was traveling to Cologne, Germany to give a scientific presentation at an engineering conference. Dr. Bentz, his wife and family then drove around Bavaria, Germany to see his ancestral villages, drive on the Autobahn and then to Belgium to visit his wife’s Uncle Nicholas Schurko’s grave at Ardennes American Cemetery, who was killed in battle in World War II. He also enjoyed sports such as basketball, swimming, baseball and was on the Track and Field Team at Bishop Egan High School for discus and shot put. Dr. Bentz was very happy to be teaching at Villanova when the Villanova Men’s Basketball Team won the National Championship in 1985. His favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren, especially swimming in the pool each summer, and he was very proud of their many accomplishments.

Son of the late Francis J. and Mary (Cooley) Bentz and brother of the late Mary Bentz Stratton, he is survived by his loving wife Irene (Haluska) Bentz, a son and daughter-in-law John Jr. and Joanie Bentz of Lower Makefield, a daughter and son-in-law Amy and Brad Holmsten of Chadds Ford, PA, a brother and sister-in-law Francis J. Jr. and Mary Jane Bentz of Waleska, GA, three sisters and two brothers-in-law: Jane and Sonmez Atesoglu of Potsdam, NJ, Eileen and Alan Schuetz of High Bridge, NJ and Anne Maco of Flemington, NJ, eight grandchildren: Kolbe, Anna, Rebecca, Nicholas, Zachary, Gabrielle (Stefan), Michaela and Raphaela, as well as many nieces and nephew,

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate his Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 752 Big Oak Rd., Morrisville, PA 19067, where family and friends may call from 9:30am until the time of Mass.

His interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hamilton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a memorial contribution, in Dr. Bentz’s name, to St. John the Evangelist Church at the above address.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, Morrisville, PA.