Our loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and dear friend, Eleanor May Perez Bentley, peacefully passed away December 26, 2022, surrounded by her family and friends at the age of 86.
Eleanor was born December 8, 1936 in Park City, Utah to John C. and Elma May Ivie Perez, she was the oldest of eight children. Eleanor loved, protected and cared for her siblings her entire life.
Eleanor graduated from Carbon High School in 1954. After high school she moved to Salt Lake City and worked at the LDS Hospital as a Nurse’s Aide. She married her sweetheart, Jerry Lynn Bentley on October 4, 1956; later they were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on February 18, 1984. Jerry preceded her in death on June 3, 2018.
Jerry and Eleanor began their life together and started their family in Price Utah. She was a fiercely loyal and loving mother to her eight children, Kevin, Barbara, Bonnie, Brenda, Wayne, Corena, Rick and Stevin. Jerry often joked about the first time they met, and loved to talk about how he fell in love with her love for life as she danced and literally hung from the rafters at their favorite restaurant. As a mother she raised her children with the same zest for life. She taught them to be adventurous and regularly took them camping, hunting, fishing and encouraged them to enjoy the outdoors as often as possible. She loved to dance! It didn’t matter if it was in the kitchen, outside in her yard or at a wedding, she took every opportunity. She loved to sing and especially loved listening to her children and grandchildren sing.
She naturally loved to take care of people and always cherished her time as a nurse’s aide. She was always eager to take care of anyone in need. She was quick to act if anyone was injured, and if you were nearby, you bet you were going to help, she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
To her grandchildren she was known for her bright smile, big heart, warm hugs and endless supply of amazing food and snacks. She was loved deeply by all and will be greatly missed.
Eleanor is survived by her children, Kevin (Wendy) Bentley, Price, Bonnie (David) Powell, Price, Jerry W. (Selma) Bentley, Sandy, UT, Corena (Daniel) Bicandi, New Plymouth, ID, Rick (Elia) Bentley, Sandy, UT, Stevin (Yude) Bentley, West Jordan, UT; three brothers and two sisters, John (Cheryl) Perez, Magnolia, TX, Anna (Lavel) Childs, Roy, UT, Marva Edwards, West Haven, UT, Jerry (Janie) Perez, ID, Terry (Jackie) Perez, Highland, UT; 19 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren with one more on the way.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elma Ivie Perez; husband, Jerry Lynn Bentley; daughters, Barbara and Brenda Bentley; sisters, Jane Perez and Connie Baxter; in-laws, Elba and Vivian Bentley and her extended family.
Funeral service, Saturday, December 31, 2022, 10:00 a.m., Gordon Creek Ward Chapel in Price. Family will receive friends at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and at the church Saturday one hour prior to service. Burial, Cliffview Cemetery, Price. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are welcome to share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net