Mark “Bench” Dennis Bentley, age 68, of Athens, Wisconsin passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was born on October 2, 1955 to the late Warren and Delores (Sukowski) Bentley in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
Mark graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in 1974. In his earlier days, Mark helped his father build many bowling alleys across the country which led him into general contracting. Later in his life he undertook a variety of pursuits including building and running a motel in Door County, and employment as a long-haul dispatcher for a moving and storage company, and as a bowling alley manager.
On June 11, 1988, Mark married Robin Lynne Clausen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. They both enjoyed traveling to Key West, Arizona, and the Dominican Republic to name a few and spending time at their home on Lake Nokomis.
Mark enjoyed bowling, golfing, and snowmobiling. He loved snowmobile racing, stock cars, NASCAR and truck racing. He liked to watch football and any childhood classics like, Andy Griffith, Gunsmoke, the Three Stooges etc… He also loved to sing. He was a great cook and master griller. He made the best crab legs, prime rib and grilled the best steaks. Mark was easy-going and generous to a fault. He was very social and touched more lives than he even knew as no one was a stranger to him.
Mark is survived by his wife, Robin Bentley; son, Jordan (Hailey) Bentley, and granddaughter, Amelia Bentley; siblings, Debra (Jack) Dodge, and Charlene Bentley, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 12:00 pm at Waid Funeral Home in Merrill. Rev. Jim Mayland will officiate. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the funeral home and again on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 from 11:00 am until the time of service also at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery.
Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.