John Harold Bent

In Loving Memory of John Harold Bent. John Harold Bent, Born May 17, 1936, and journeyed home to heaven on April 21, 2020; after a valiant fight with Prostate Cancer. If you asked a hundred people who John Harold Bent was, they’d give you a hundred different answers. You would first get the usual answers: A son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great & even great-great grandfather, an uncle, cousin, co-worker & friend. But you would also hear answers like, the guy I took my bike to for repair; the man who could fix nearly anything. The guy who was often seen camping, or roller skating & riding bikes with his kids in the alley near their home; the appliance repairman, or the maintenance supervisor. If you asked his children or grandchildren, they would all say he was their hero. And it is not surprising at all, that not only his children, but many other family and friends considered John a Hero. He would do anything for anyone. He would be the first one to offer advice or help; and he definitely would be the first to offer a place at the table, or the shirt off of his back. John was born on May 17, 1936 to Norma (Baerwald) & Harold Bent. He was the eldest of 5 children. His early life was spent in Green Bay, Milwaukee and Burlington. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1954; and Married Mary Lucille (Nelson) Bent on January 22, 1955, at St. Joseph’s church, in Lyons, WI. John spent the majority of his working years in Burlington, WI as they raised their 7 children. After retirement, he and his wife moved to Florida; where they spent their days living in North Port, FL. John worked for Nestle Chocolate in Burlington, WI as Maintenance Supervisor until his retirement in 1998. After that time, he and his wife Mary moved to Florida. John was the owner/operator of Bent’s Bike Shop, in Burlington WI, for many years. He was also a member of St. Charles Church, Burlington, WI; and San Padro Church, North Port, FL. John is preceded in Death by his parents Norma & Harold Bent, Stepmother Mary Esther Limbach-Bent, WI, his sister Diane (Bent) Mosley, IL, and his brother, David Bent, FL. John is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Mary (Nelson) Bent, his children, Karol Bent, FL; Rosemary (Warren) Winkler, FL; Robert (Jodi) Bent, FL, Linda (Henry) Ziobro, WI; Susan (Reynaldo) Reynoso, WI; Rita (John) Michelin, WI; and Paul (Jo) Bent, WI. He is further survived by his siblings Ruth (Gary) Pearson, IL; James (Shelly) Bent, WI; Step siblings John (Joyce) Limbach, FL; Steve Limbach, WI; and Mary (Joseph) Massey, AZ. John is also survived by 19 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 14 Great grandchildren, 12 step-great grandchildren; 5 step-great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews too. Memorial services will take place at a later date. It is John and Mary’s wishes to have a joint memorial service after they have both gone home to be with the Lord. A special thank you to Tidewell Hospice home, FL for all the tender care they gave John and his family. Memorials can be made to Tidewell Hospice Care, FL and Prostate Cancer research. Arrangements are under the direction of Gendron Funeral & Cremation Services Inc. located at 14538 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL 34287. 941-423-9110 www.gendronfuneralhome.com

John Harold Bent

May 17, 1936 - April 21, 2020