Mr. Francis Harrison Bentley

BENTLEY, Mr. Francis Harrison - Age 89, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2022, at St. Francis Home of Saginaw. Family hour 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 10, 2022, from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Elder William T. Waters officiating. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10:00 AM Wednesday. Mr. Bentley will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Tuesday, August 9, 2022. Francis Harrison Bentley was born August 9, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Francis Harrison Sr. and Mary Luella (Loesche) Bentley. Francis Bentley, a caring father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, coach and friend, left this world peacefully at the age of 89 years old on July 31, 2022. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 9, 1932 to the late Francis H. Sr. and Mary Luella Bentley. Francis graduated from Southeast Missouri State College with a bachelor’s degree in Botany, Zoology, and Chemistry. He earned a Master’s Degree from Indiana University in Botany. Francis enjoyed collecting stamps, listening to classical music, identifying rare plants and jogging in Forest Park. In 1956 he applied for a teaching position in Flint, Michigan because it was one of the highest paying districts in the nation. Francis taught chemistry in the Flint Public Schools for 41 years and was athletic director at Flint Northern High School for 12 years. He had a legendary coaching career at Northern, leading the Vikings to the State Wrestling Championship in 1963. Francis coached many state champions and place winners over his 30-year coaching career. He was inducted into several Hall of Fame’s including the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Francis impacted hundreds of lives in the City of Flint during his career. One of the last things he did was accept Jesus Christ as Lord a few days before he passed. A life well lived! Francis Harrison Bentley leaves to cherish his memory: son, William (Tracy) Waters Saginaw, MI; grandchildren, Herbert (Ashley) Waits and Alexanderia Waits; god-granddaughter, Latiffany Ervin, all of Saginaw, MI, six great-grandchildren; nephews, Don (Jymie) Lilley of Farmington, MO, and Steve (Tina) Lilley of Imperial, MO; niece, Susan Lilley Murray of Farmington, MO; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Waldo Bronson and Juanita Dickerson. Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Francis H. Sr. and Mary Luella Bentley ; sister, June Marilyn Lilley; and nephew, David Lilley. The family would like to express special thanks to Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Francis Home of Saginaw, and Trina Elvi

Mr. Francis Harrison Bentley

August 9, 1932 - July 31, 2022