Sabattus – Arthur W. Bentz Sr., 70, of Ledgewood Estates in Sabattus, died Monday, Nov. 6, at his home with family at his side.

He was born in Milwaukee, Wis., June 28, 1936, a son of Arthur and Myrtle (McKenna) Bentz. He was educated in Milwaukee public schools. He resided in this community since 1981. After high school, he entered the U.S. Air Force and went on to complete a 28-year career until his retirement as an aircrew instructor and inflight refueling operator and superintendent.

After his retirement, he owned and operated Tripp Trucking Co. for 12 years. He was a member of Holy Family Church, a life-member of the VFW Post 9150, a member of the Elks Lodge, the National POW-MIA committee and the Franco-American War Vets Post 31. He was always very proud of his service to his country in the Air Force and remained very involved for many years thereafter in several local and national veterans affairs and activities.

He leaves his wife, Della M. Bentz of Sabattus, whom he married Jan. 3 of this year; seven children, Karen Strobel, and husband, John, Arthur W. Bentz Jr., and his companion, Melissa, Linda Deilh, and husband, Corey, James Bentz, and wife, Jennifer, Kim Carmadelle, and husband, Jerry and Robert Bentz, and wife, Marie, all of Illinois; a stepdaughter, Dawn Eddy of Greene; a sister, Janet Thuering, and husband, Glen, of Milwaukee, Wis.; three brothers, Donald Bentz, and wife, Grace, of Arizona, Myron Bentz, and wife, Becky, of Michigan and Tony Bentz, and wife, Nancy, of Illinois; 13 grandchildren; two step-granddaughters; several nieces and nephews; and several sisters- and brothers-in-law.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Gail C. Bentz; a sister, Betty Schneeweis; and a brother, Mark Bentz.

His family would like to offer a special thank-you to his home care nurse Lisa Ewing, his many nurses and doctors at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and all the nurses at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the extreme care and kindness shown to him and his family during his illness.