Charles E. Bentley

Charles Edward Bentley passed peacefully away at the age of 103, on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born January 3, 1921, in Uniontown, Alabama to Lela (Washington) Bentley and Henry Bentley.

Charles proudly served his country in the Army during World War II in France and Germany. He was a decorated Army Veteran and received honors for his bravery and courage fighting on the beaches during the Normandy Invasion 80 years ago.

After the War, Charles returned to Indianapolis to marry his sweetheart, Myrtle Jean Thompson. Six children were born to their union of 57 years.

He received his GED from Broad Ripple High School in 1969 with an aspiration to become an electrical engineer. He was a faithful member of Christ Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, and during his active years there he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board and Church Treasurer.

He retired on December 31,1984, after 37 years with Eli Lilly and Company. His position was Assistant Supervisor of Maintenance. Charles was a husband, father, granddaddy, great-granddaddy, great great-granddaddy, brother, son, uncle, cousin and patriarch to his large extended family and circle of friends.

He enjoyed reading books at the dining room table after dinner, filling notebooks with his physics and calculus slide-rule calculations, bowling, playing cards with friends, family reunion gatherings, cooking, gardening, and traveling with his wife Myrtle. For a second honeymoon, they were blessed to travel through Europe to see the countries he was deployed to in World War II.

Charles was preceded in death by his loving wife Myrtle, his parents, Lela and Henry Bentley, his brother William A. Bentley, and his sister Laura Austin Lewis. He leaves to cherish his memory six children; Connie Bentley McGhee, Esq., Glenn Alfred Bentley, Reginald Frank Bentley, Ruby Karlisa Clayton (Thomas), Candace Benjamin (Abraham), and Mary LaMar (Dr. Ansley); seventeen grandchildren, Samuel Timothy McGhee, Jeffrey McGhee, Elyssa McGhee, Darren McGhee, Glynis Odle, Kendra Mitchell, Kevin Bentley, Tyrece Higgins-Peoples, Chiquitti Boykin, Bonita Bentley, Alexis Scott, Thomas Christopher Clayton, Candace Clayton, Collin Clayton, Christopher Benjamin, Anthony Benjamin and Hunter LaMar; his Sister-in-Law Carolyn Bentley, and a host of great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.