Rev. Janet Marlene Bentley

Rev. Janet Marlene Bentley passed away Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Ball Hospice House (Hospice of the Eastern Upper Peninsula) in Sault Sainte Marie, MI. She was a resident of Pickford, MI.

Born November 16, 1936, in Cardington, OH, to Cloys W and Fern Marie (Kramer) Bean. She was the second of four children. As a sixth grader Marlene represented the Cardington School District in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC, placing third overall. She graduated from Cardington in 1954 as the class Valedictorian.

Marlene attended Ohio State University, then transferred to Olivet Nazarene College (now University) in Kankakee, IL, and graduated in 1958. She also studied at Purdue. While at Olivet, Marlene met and fell in love with Robert "Bob" Bentley They married in 1960 in Lansing, MI and lived in various places around the state of Michigan as Bob was an ordained minister. In 1966, they welcomed their only child Mary Kay. Marlene earned a Master's Degree in Science Education at Michigan State University, and later a Master of Divinity degree at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio in Delaware, OH. She was ordained at the Gahanna (OH) Community Congregational Church. After Bob retired, Marlene served churches in Pittsford,

Laingsburg, and Kalamazoo (MI).

Marlene thoroughly enjoyed any type of needlework including sewing, crochet, knitting, and watercolor painting. She was known for making clothing including much of what Mary Kay wore to school. She also made many formals for Mary Kay, and a wedding dress with a skirt that measured nearly 300 inches around the bottom.

Much of Marlene's life was spent in service to others. Whether it be in ministry beside Bob or on her own, Marlene was most comfortable when she was helping others. Not one to seek the spotlight, she was truly a servant of God.

Marlene was preceded in death by Bob, her parents, and siblings Henry "Hank," Dwight, and Kay.

She is survived by daughter Mary Kay and son-in-law Brett Reed of Pickford, MI; granddaughter Hadley Reed and fiance Brandon Dumback, and great granddaughters Carolyn Janet and Madeline Kay, all of Sault Sainte Marie, MI. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A graveside memorial will take place Sunday, September 28, at 2 p.m. at the Rowley Cemetery on M-52, Williamston, MI.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marlene's name to the Hospice of the Eastern Upper Peninsula (MI), 308 W. 12th Ave, Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49873.

The family is being served by Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Laingsburg Chapel.

Online pictures and condolences may be shared with the family at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com