Dana Clester “Bentley” Bentzinger 62, Springfield, Missouri, passed away Friday, October 22, 2021, in his home, after a long illness. He was born on July 18, 1959, in Ft. Madison, Iowa, to Clester and Theresa (Driscoll) Bentzinger. Bentley originally lived in Donnellson, Iowa and later in the Springfield, Missouri area, where he attended Hillcrest High School. In grade school he spent summers in Goodland Kansas and in his later teens moved to Goodland with his brother and family. He joined a harvest crew with Farris Harvesting in Goodland.
He returned to the Nixa/Springfield area, married Kathy and had one daughter, Jamie. He and his wife Cindy met November 11, 1997 and enjoyed many good times and made a lot of great memories with friends and family. Bentley’s working years included pizza shop management, driver of refuse vehicle and fire engines, wholesaling vehicles, and rental property ownership. Bentley retired in 2011 from vehicle wholesaling. His favorite pastimes were cruising the lake, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, going to auctions, and generally socializing with friends. Everywhere he was involved, he developed lifelong friendships. His honesty and directness, playful disposition, and love of life will be remembered and missed by many.
Bentley was preceded in death by his parents and by his niece, Kara Bentzinger. He is survived by his wife, Cindy Durbin-Bentzinger, his daughter Jamie VanVoorst and her husband Jeremy of Marionville, MO.; step-daughters; Khristyn Oberlin and her husband, Chris of Springfield, MO. and Kameryn Lambert and her husband Josh of Ozark, MO; eight grandchildren: Jayston Van Voorst, Kamden Van Voorst and Kaylee Van Voorst-Wilson, Jennifer Karsten, Raine Oberlin, Zoe Oberlin, Grey Oberlin, and Elaina Lambert; one great-grandson: D.J. Cha; a brother: Dennis Bentzinger and his wife Dorothy, of Goodland, KS.; two sisters: Dyann Durbin and her husband Donnie of Springfield, MO., and Debbie Shean and her husband, Bob, of Noblesville Indiana; his nieces and nephews: Justin (Jennifer) Bentzinger, Dawn (Duane Wells) Durbin, Angie (Ivan) Valchev, Ryan (Lyndsay) Shean and Kelsey (David) Shean-Johnson, as well as numerous relatives, close friends .
Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 29, 2021 at Robberson Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Visitation will be followed by Celebration of Life gathering at Uncle Bently’s Pub, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rescue One, 1927-B East Bennett Street, Springfield, MO. Heartfelt thanks to Pastor Tim Anna for spiritual guidance and support. Special thanks to Compassus Hospice of Springfield, MO.