Robert Charles Bentle

Robert Charles Bentle peacefully went into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Sunday evening, November 16th. At his bedside was his wife of 59 years, as well as his 3 sons, their wives, and other family members. We said our goodbyes as Jesus took his hand and welcomed him to his promised eternal life in Heaven. No more pain Dad, you lived your life as a child of God and now you are rewarded.

Robbie was born in Beach Grove, Indiana, on January 10th, 1946. He was the 5th of 6 children to Mildred May Bentle and Robert Cordel Bentle. He grew up in rural Indiana and attended Beach Grove High School until age 17, when he dropped out to earn his GED and enlist in the USAF in 1963. He served as an Airman 3rd Class and an Air Policeman.

In early 1965, Robbie met the love of his life, Joy Ann Pollaci. He was working as a certified welder in a bomb factory when they married on March 19th, 1966. Almost exactly 9 months later they welcomed their 1st son, Eric Charles, into the family. With nothing but the change in his pocket, he packed up Joy and Eric and moved to Nevada, where he was hired on as a Deputy Sheriff for Elko County Nevada. Robbie and Joy lived with Eric in an 8-foot by 40-foot trailer house. With all this extra room, they added two more sons, Rodney Cordel in 1969, and Matthew Ray in 1970.

Robbie worked two full time jobs as a police officer and an ambulance driver, and part time as a dog catcher, so Joy could stay home and care for their three young boys. We had next to nothing, but Dad worked long hours so we had all we needed.

In 1974, Robbie and Joy packed up the family and towed that 8-foot wide trailer to their forever home in Montana. Landing in the Gallatin Valley, he anchored his family in small town Christian living. For Robbie, raising his boys meant teaching them how to pray, how to treat a lady, and sometimes harder lessons about right from wrong. All the boys graduated from Manhattan High School. At one point, Robbie was THE security guard for Big Sky Montana. Later he would drive big rigs for Gallatin Homes and other companies. He drove charter bus for Karst Stage. He worked for Danhof Chevrolet, as the service manager, for 13 years. He then started Bentle and Sons Trucking. He drove over the road coast to coast and later, kept it local, operating dump trucks. In 2008 he was involved in a serious accident in a dump truck that forced him into retirement. During retirement, he enjoyed traveling to see family and golfing as much as possible.

Dad was blessed with the gift of a beautiful voice. He was involved in singing from a very early age, traveling around the south singing gospel music and playing guitar in a band. He touched many lives with his beautiful voice, singing at dozens of weddings, funerals and in churches. He ministered and witnessed to many people, through his singing.

Robert is survived by his beautiful wife of 59 years, Joy Ann (Pollaci) Bentle; his sons, Eric (Romy) Bentle, Rodney (Paula) Bentle and Matthew (Cheray) Bentle; his sister, Wanda Baker, 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mildred Bentle; his Brother, Jimmy Bentle; and his sisters, Glenda Spegal, Katie Fisher and Rosy Lawton.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 P.M. on Wednesday, December 3rd, at the The Bridge Church, 608 Jackrabbit Lane in Belgrade. All are welcome.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com