Melisa Elaine "Lisa" Bentley, aged 58, passed away on Saturday, March 22, at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center after a short illness. She was born on October 7, 1966, at the United States Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan. She was the daughter of Adaline L. Ortiz Bentley Eckels, of St. Marys, and the late Jack L. Bentley of Tennessee.
She graduated from Franklin High School in 1984. She spent much of her adult life living in southern California but most recently left her job to come home to St. Marys in August to stay with her mom and spend time with her family. She was always willing to help in any way she could. She was the life of the party, cracking jokes, and full of infectious laughter. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, and spending time with her friends and family.
Her proudest accomplishments were her four children who survive, Alexandria (Dustan) Schauer Werneth of St.Marys, Rachael (Dillion) Bentley, Humberto (Jewelie) Bentley, and Virginia (Jordan) Ontiveros, all of Oklahoma.
In addition to her mother and children she is survived by seven grandchildren: Adrian Frazier, Sophia Schauer, Megan Werneth, Aubrey Arnhart, Julius Arnhart, Adalina Arnhart, and Jacob Bentley; four brothers, David Bentley of Texas, Bill Bentley of Florida, John Eckels of St. Marys, and Matt (Shannon) Eckels of St. Marys; a sister Rhonda (Jan) Ehrensberger of Kersey; as well as many nieces and cousins. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, as well as her stepfather, Patrick Eckels. A formal mass, visitation, or burial will not be held; instead, a celebration of her life is scheduled for April in Oklahoma.
