Robert "Bob" L. Bentley

Robert “Bob” L. Bentley, age 85, of Whitelaw, passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Manitowoc Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Bob was born on August 3, 1940, in Manitowoc, a son of the late Walter and Thecla (Meidl) Bentley. He grew up in the Village of Whitelaw and was baptized at St. Michael Catholic Church, Whitelaw.

He attended St. Michael Catholic school and on to Valders High School graduating in 1958. On August 20, 1960, Bob married the former Jeanette “Jan” Novak at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. The couple would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this month. Following high school, Bob went to work for Mirro Aluminum Rolling Mill, taking an electrical apprenticeship. He then went on to Green Bay Packaging, Green Bay, and then to Paper Converting Machine Co. as a Road Service Electrician specializing in electrical service for diaper machines traveling the world as a trouble shooter. He worked at PC for over 30 plus years before early retirement. Bob and Jan also owned and operated Bentley Hardware & Lumber.

Following retirement, the couple bought a winter home in Florida. They were snowbirds for over 26 years. Bob loved to help with repairs around the park and loved his fishing and boating. Up north, he loved camping with the whole family especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren. His biggest hobby was restoring old tractors, especially his Cubby, John Deere and Ford Ferguson which his grandson now uses. In earlier years, every Saturday night was stock car racing in Plymouth. In his years of retirement, he was a volunteer in the Citizens on Patrol Organization with The Lake County Sheriff’s Department of Lake County Florida.

Survivors include his wife: Jeanette Bentley, Whitelaw; two daughters: Shari (Jim) Kronschnabel, Whitelaw, Dawn (Tim) Poklinkoski, De Pere; five grandchildren: Zachary (Kayla) Michael, Katelyn Dodge, Andrew (Emily) Dodge, Philip and Luke Einertson; five great-grandchildren: Hailey, Shawn, and Wesley Michael, Leo and Royce Dodge; one brother: Walter “Terry” Bentley; two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law: Joyce Ohlhues and Judy (Dennis) Kellenbenz; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends survive. He was preceded in death by his parents: Walter and Thecla Bentley; one brother-in-law: Robert Ohlhues; one sister-in-law: Karen Bentley; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Lawrence and Rosemary Novak; also, his beloved pet: Peppi.

Private family services were held at the Knollwood Chapel Mausoleum. Deacon Randy Meidl officiated the service with entombment following in the Knollwood Mausoleum.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Reinbold & Pfeffer Funeral Home of Kellnersville, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center and a big thank you to Aurora Health Care Hospice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert "Bob" L. Bentley, please visit our floral store.