Edward L. Bentley was born on August 18, 1918 and was called home on March 20, 2016. He was born in Chicago, Illinois to Lyman and Louise Bentley. Ed attended the University of Illinois, Champaign, Il where he was in the Theta Chi Fraternity. He met Helen Louise Neal in college and they were married on June 1, 1941. Ed entered the Army following college and was deployed as Captain of the 9th Armored Division, serving in Europe during World War II. He received a Purple Heart and returned to Chicago Heights to launch his Insurance Agency business.

In 1948 Ed moved his family to Tulsa and continued his Insurance career with Rich and Cartmill, Inc. He became a partner in 1950 and served the Agency with distinction until his retirement in 2000. He obtained a CPCU designation. Ed served as President of the Tulsa Independent Agents. A member of the Rotary Club of Tulsa from 1955 to the present, Ed was committed to the club in many capacities; as a Paul Harris Fellow, Club Foundation Pillar and as a MSNI Ambassador.

Ed and Helen were charter members and devoted to John Knox Presbyterian church, where Ed served as an Elder. Edward was on the Founding Board of Directors for Inverness Village where he lived until his death.

Ed was a loving and devoted husband to the late Helen Neal Bentley. Following the death of Helen, Ed found a wonderful woman named Yvonne Hays who remained a devoted social companion. He was loved by, and loved his three daughters and their families: Carol Brown and her late husband Lyndon Brown of San Antonio, Kathy Gorrell and her husband Ben of Tulsa, and Charlotte Chaney and her husband Dick of Nashville. The Grandchildren include Kathlynn Luebke-Brown and her husband Kevin of Staunton, VA, David Brown of San Antonio, Charlotte Tippie and her husband Jason of Kansas City, Shelley Hildebrand and her husband Mark of Tulsa, and Kristi Skeeters and her husband Jonathan of Nashville. There are also 9 beautiful Great Grandchildren.

Ed was a model of perseverance of tenacity. He continued to fight for strength and recovery after a number of health challenges. Ed had a keen memory for many details of life and could recall wonderful stories. Our Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather and Friend will be missed for his wonderful, loving kindness to all.

A time of Visitation in his honor will be held on Friday, March 25th, 3-5 PM at Moore Southlawn. The Celebration of his life will be held at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 2929 E. 31st St., Tulsa on Saturday, March 26th at 2:00pm.

Memorial Gifts should be directed to Inverness Village Foundation, John Knox Presbyterian Church or Rotary Club of Tulsa Foundation. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com