Cecelia Ann Lumpkin Bentley

In Loving Memory Of Cecelia Ann Lumpkin Bentley

1924 - 2013.

Surrounded by the love of her children, Cecelia ("Ceil") Ann Lumpkin Bentley went home to her Heavenly Father on Dec. 11, 2013. She was 89. 

Born into an Irish Catholic family on Nov. 28, 1924, in Havre, Mont., Ceil was the oldest of six children. She attended St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic School in Havre and graduated from high school in 1942. Her father was an engineer with the Great Northern Railroad. After attending Northern Montana College and Seattle University, she moved back to Havre where she met her future husband, Bill. They were married on June 18, 1950, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Havre. They settled in Bill's home state of Kansas and moved to Chanute in September 1963, where they have cherished memories of their family home of 50 years. The eight children attended St. Patrick's Catholic schools until it closed its doors in 1972. 

Ceil was a devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. She was the epitome of what a good mother should be. Those who knew Ceil knew she was compassionate, patient, kind, gracious and always showed an interest in others. A strong pro-life advocate, Ceil was committed to her family, her Catholic faith, her volunteer work, and her many close friends. From 1974 to 2001, she volunteered as director of the Chanute Birthright/Birthline office, where she assisted many mothers and children in need.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; and by her parents, John S. and Mary J. Lumpkin; by her sisters, Betty Jane and Mary Lou; and by her brother Jack.

She is survived by her eight children: Jan Bentley of Kansas City, Mo., Jane Blocher and husband Kim of Lawrence, Kan., John Bentley and wife Diana of San Diego, Calif., James Bentley of Chanute, Kan., Jill Bentley of Pasadena, Calif., Julia O'Connor of Austin, Texas, Joseph Bentley of Dallas, Texas, and Jay Thomas Bentley of Dallas, Texas.  Her five grandchildren are Brad and Brian Bentley of San Diego, Jake O'Connor of Austin, and Dria Cecelia and Adyline Bentley of Dallas. Other survivors include her brother, Bill of Great Falls, Mont .; her brother, Tom of Cheyenne, Wyo., and two nieces and their five children in Maryland.

A rosary will be said at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chanute, Kan., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, at 7 p.m. to be followed by the family's eulogy. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Pat's on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a dinner at the church and a graveside service at St. Patrick's Cemetery. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to St. Patrick's School and mailed to St. Patrick's Church, 424 S. Central, Chanute, KS 66720. 

The family invites friends to celebrate their parents' lives at an open house at the family home on Monday afternoon Dec. 16, 2013, from 3 to 5 p.m.

Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit http://www.PenwellGabelChanute.com.

"Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise," Luke 23:43.