Sara L. "Sally" Bentley

Sara L. “Sally” Bentley, 98, of Marshall died on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at her home.Sally was born on February 5, 1922, in Marshall, to Jerome and Edna (Lusk) Bentley. She graduated from Marshall High School in 1940 and later graduated from Western Michigan University.

Sally taught for three years in the Lapeer and Ishpeming schools, and later went to work for State Farm Insurance Company in Marshall for 37 years retiring in 1987. While working for State Farm, Sally became the first woman in Michigan to earn the designation of Chartered Property and Casualty underwriter.  Sally was active with the Marshall Civic Players, and later the Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary (including a regular turn in the hospital gift shop until well into her 90s). She was very active in the Marshall First Presbyterian Church where Sally served as an Ordinal Deacon for many years.  She also served the City of Marshall as a member of the Board of Equalization Appeals.  She was an avid golfer, bowler and tennis player.

She is survived by her niece, Susan Crabtree and nephew, Geoffrey Bentley, three great-nieces and two great-great nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Richard Bentley, John Bentley, and Barbara Crabtree.

A celebration of life and memorial service will take place at Marshall First Presbyterian Church, 200 West Mansion Street, at a later date. Interment will take place at Oakridge Cemetery.  Memorial contributions are requested to Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary, 200 North Madison Street, Marshall MI 49068 ( https://oaklawnhospital.org/donate/ ) or the Marshall First Presbyterian Church, 200 West Mansion Street, Marshall MI 49068 ( https://www.fpcmarshall.org/giving ).  Contributions may also be mailed to the Kempf Funeral Home PO Box 519 Marshall MI 49068 which will collected and deliver them to the appropriate charity. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at http://www.kempffuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 Old US Hwy 27 N Marshall MI 49068.