Henry Alfred "Hank" Bentler, 88 years, of St. Paul, Iowa died at 11:50 am Friday, July 13, 2012 at the Kensington, Fort Madison, Iowa. He was born September 29, 1923 at St. Paul, Iowa, a son of Frank and Anna (Umthun) Bentler. On October 27, 1951, he married Anna Mae "Mick" Brown at West Point, Iowa.

Hank was a farmer and lifelong resident of the area. He graduated from St. James School, St. Paul. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II. After retiring from farming, he worked part-time for Jet Gas, Houghton. He was an active member of St. James the Less Catholic Church, St. Paul serving on Parish Council and St. James Choir. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Houghton Council and the West Point American Legion, Holtz Gear Post #668.

Hank is survived by his wife, "Mick"; two sons, Marty (wife Marylou) Bentler, of St. Paul, Iowa and Brian (wife Lynda) Bentler, of Overland Park, Kansas; two daughters, Sue (husband Bob) Winnike, of West Point, Iowa and Lois (husband Tom) Lampe, of Metamora, Illinois ; one brother, Norbert (wife Rose Ann) Bentler, of Burlington, Iowa; two sisters, Emma Schwartz, of St. Paul, Iowa and Betty (husband Paul) Wilkens, of Nauvoo, Illinois; fifteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Kathleen Scharpman, and four sisters: Marietta, Rose, Hilda, and Ethelrita.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 pm Sunday, July 15, 2012 at the St. James the Less Catholic Church, St. Paul, Iowa, with a Christian Wake Service being held at 6:00 pm Sunday evening at the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Monday, July 16, 2012 at St. James the Less Church, St. Paul with Reverend Gary Beckman, as celebrant. Burial with full military rites will be at the St. James Cemetery, St. Paul. A memorial has been established for Holy Trinity Catholic Schools and Lee County Hospice. Contributions may be made at the church or the Barr-Holtkamp Funeral Home.