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In Memory Of Our Poets

John Eugene Bentley (1937-2017) - Class Of 1956

John Eugene Bentley, DMA, age 79, a resident of Monarch Landing in Naperville, Illinois, since 2016, formerly of Lisle, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Silverado Memory Care in Naperville. He was born December 5, 1937, in Florence, Alabama. John was preceded in death by his parents, Christmas and Mertiss (nee O'Dell) Bentley and two brothers, Frank and Donald Bentley.

John is survived by his wife, Judith Oaks Cook, whom he married September 9, 1962, two daughters, Julia A. (Thomas Schaller) Bentley and Jennifer C. (Rey) Requiron and five grandchildren: Lena Baloo and Janek August Schaller; Jasper Cole, Leo John, and Calvin Jey Requiron. Nephews and nieces, Frank and Steve Bentley, Carol Hughes; Jeffery Bentley, Tracy Bentley, and Rhonda Harrison.

John graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama, received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, a Master of Fine Arts from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Doctor of Musical Arts (Oboe) from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with additional work at Yale University.

John retired as a Professor Emeritus from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and had taught at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, TN, Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He was principal Oboeist in the Knoxville Symphony and various other symphonies as well as conductor of the Wartburg Community Symphony in Iowa. He performed and traveled with several professional Woodwind Quintets and was very active in researching unpublished manuscripts in European Libraries as well as performing newly composed music.

A Celebration of Life Open House will be held Saturday, December 23, 2017, 2:00 - 4:00 PM in the Millstone Lounge at Monarch Landing, 2255 Monarch Dr, Naperville, IL 60563, (630) 300-1300.

Per his wishes, John's body was donated for scientific study.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to:

Arrangements by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Naperville, IL.

For more information, please call (630) 355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com

Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Published in the Montgomery Advertiser on December 3, 2017.




(News story) - John Bentley, a Bowling Green State University (BGSU) professor emeritus of music who had played oboe with several professional woodwind quintets, died November 28 at Silverado Memory Care, Naperville, Ill. He was 79. The family did not release the cause of death.

Mr. Bentley retired as a professor emeritus about 10 years ago from BGSU, where he was a professor of music performance studies since 1972. He also was the coordinator of the woodwind faculty in the BGSU College of Musical Arts and a member of the resident faculty ensemble Venti da Camera. He previously had taught at universities in Iowa, Michigan, and Tennessee. He also taught at the Interlochen Art Camp.

Mr. Bentley was a past Ohio chairman for the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors. He had performed with woodwind quintets in Toledo, Bowling Green, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, and Yale. He was at different times principal oboe in various symphonies - including the Knoxville Symphony - and was the conductor of the Wartburg Community Symphony, Waverly, Iowa.

"He was a very strong person, who had very definite ideas about music and how the college should grow," said John Sampen, a friend and a fellow faculty member at the BGSU's College of Musical Arts. "And he was a very good leader and mentor to his students and younger faculty."

Regionally, he played oboe in the Bowling Green Woodwind Quintet, which began in 1965 and was comprised of resident faculty members. He also gave oboe concerts at the university. The music pieces he performed at a 1973 concert included Adagio - Theme and Variations in F Minor by Johann Hummel and Sergei Prokofiev's Sonata in D Major, Op. 94 for flute and piano. He also researched unpublished music manuscripts at libraries in Europe.

Mr. Bentley was born December. 5, 1937, in Florence, Alabama. He graduated in 1955 from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama. He then went to the University of Alabama, graduating with a bachelor's degree in music education. He later got a Master of Fine Arts degree from George Peabody College in Nashville and a Doctor of Musical Arts (Oboe) degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He also undertook advanced studies at Yale University.

Mr. Bentley was preceded in death by his parents, Christmas and Mertiss Bentley, and his brothers, Frank and Donald Bentley.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Judith Oaks Cook; daughters, Julia Bentley and Jennifer Requiron; and five grandchildren.

Services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Millstone Lounge at Monarch Landing, 2255 Monarch Dr., Naperville, Ill.

Arrangements are by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, in Naperville.

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This is a news story by Mike Sigov. Contact him at sigov@theblade.com or 419-724-6089 or on Twitter @mikesigovblade.

Published in Toledo Blade on Dec. 23, 2017