Dennis Carl Bentz

Of Chandler, Arizona passed away on December 10, 2011 at Chandler Regional Hospital. He was born on June 13, 1950 in Lorain, Ohio to Edward and Mildred Bentz. He is survived by his wife, sons and a brother Phillip (Howard, Ohio) who is married to Barbara. Dennis was married to Christina Uhlik on September 4, 1972. They lived in Toledo then Perrysville Ohio, where Dennis served 6 years in the Ohio National Guard and pursued his passion for cars by being an automotive mechanic and later the manager of the repair facility, and was always on his boat when he had the time. In 1985 he moved his family Chandler, Arizona where he kept his passion for cars and alive by working in the field, and continued his love for boating. He later left the automotive world to take on a thriving career in real estate. He and Christina were blessed with three sons. Franklin, who has left us already; Karl (Rice, Texas), who is married to Jody and have two children Ryan and Annalee; and Matthew (Maricopa, Arizona) who is married to Rebecca and have a son, Colten. Viewing will be held from 6 to 9 pm on December 16, 2011 at Melchers Mortuary on Stapley in Mesa, Arizona. Services will be held at 10 am on December 17, at Melchers Mortuary. Following that he will be moved one final time to be laid to rest at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Mesa Arizona. The family will be having a reception following the interment at the Old Country Buffet on South Stapley Drive in Mesa.

Dennis loved to have kids around him. Growing up close to this family, he was the Uncle you had to watch out for. He would wrap his big arms around you and give you a great big bear hug, and then the tickling would commence until you could no longer breathe. He was always active with the kids, playing hide and go seek or just walking through his vegetable garden. He loved to show us what he could do with his hands. He was a true gentle giant.

In Memory of Dennis Bentz 1950 – 2011

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face.

May the rains fall soft upon your fields

and until we meet again,

May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.

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You can shed tears that he is gone

Or you can smile because he has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him

Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember him and only that he is gone

Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Arrangements under the direction of Melcher Mortuary Chapel of the Roses, Mesa, AZ.