Ralph Bentley
Ralph Edison Bentley, 88, of Bloomington, Illinois, passed away on Feb. 4 at 3:10 a.m. at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.
Ralph’s service will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington. Military rites will be conducted by the Bloomington/Normal American Legion following the services at the funeral home. Interment will take place at the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Central Illinois.
Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.
Ralph was born on July 21, 1927, in Pontiac the son of Ralph and Aldine Bellar Bentley Sr.
He is survived by his children; Ralph E. (Mary) Bentley III of Portland Oregon, John E. Bentley of Charlotte, North Carolina, James S. Bentley of Normal, Peggy L. Bentley of Bloomington, Mark A. Bentley of Normal, David T. (Tara) Bentley of Bloomington and their mother Rhoda Scott Ring, Bill E. Bentley of Bloomington, Richard W. Bentley of Normal and their mother Ethel M. Bentley, step children; Tammy Thomas of Normal and Dawn Fleming of Normal. Also surviving are his grandchildren; Deirdre, Rafe and Jacob Bentley, Jessica Cavallo, Marissa Uselton, Devyn Bentley, Michael and Jolene Thomas and Richard B. Fleming Jr., great grandchildren; Samara Childs, Dominic Cavallo, Kristina Snow, Cullen, Avery and Cassady Fleming.
He is preceded in death by; his parents, two infant sons, one brother and one sister.
Ralph was a graduate of Pontiac High School. After graduating high school he joined the US Navy and served on the LST 1141 as a Third Class Petty Officer during WWII. After his service with the Navy he returned to Pontiac and started work at the Ford Garage. While there they sent him to school and he received his certificate as a Master Mechanic. In 1956 he worked for General Electric and owned Mr. Softee Ice Cream on West Locust Street along with having two Ice Cream Trucks. He was also the original partner with Twin City Hydromatic. In 1964 he opened up Public Auto Exchange which is known today as Bentley Motors, along with owning many other pre owned car lots. He was a true entrepreneur owning multiple businesses throughout his life.
Ralph was a past member of Downs United Methodist Church. He is an avid gun collector and was a Marksman Sharp Shooter. He always had a passion for the Automobile Industry and enjoyed his automobile collection.
Ralph will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends.
Online condolences may be made to www.beckmemorial.com.
John Pratt
John T. Pratt, 88, of Bloomington, died at 4:30 a.m. Feb. 4 at his residence.
His funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, Reverend David Barton officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Saturday at the church. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
John was born on Aug. 11, 1927 in Bloomington, the son of Horace I. Pratt and Clara Heffernan Pratt. He married Geraldine R. Dillon on Feb. 14, 1953, at Champaign. Jerry died on Sep. 11, 2003. Surviving are his children: Maggi Pratt, Cathy Pratt (Dave Templeton), Barbara Pratt (Gregg Mecherle), John L. Pratt (Paula), and Eric Pratt, all of Bloomington; three grandchildren, Jack Mecherle, Christopher Mecherle and John Robby Pratt; and one brother, Dr. George F. Pratt.
John was a graduate of the Bloomington Public Schools, University of Illinois and the University of Illinois College of Law. He is a member of the Bloomington Public Schools Hall of Fame. He served in the United States Navy in World War II. He was in the private practice of law for over fifty years. His diverse clientele affectionately and respectfully referred to him as “counselor.” He served the legal profession throughout his career, including serving as president of the McLean County Bar Association. John also served the community. He was past president of the Jaycees and the Westminster Village board, he was a board member of the YMCA and Kiwanis Club, and he was one of founding members of the Evergreen Racquet Club.
John supported Jerry’s passion for creative writing and his children in their endeavors. He was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. His family and friends cherished his company.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 404 N. Prairie Street, Bloomington 61701, or to the Timber Pointe Charitable Foundation, PO Box 233, Bloomington 61702.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
