Norma E. Bentley

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Mrs. Norma E. Bentley, 96, of Derrick Road, Bradford, PA died early Saturday morning, April 9, 2016 at the Bradford Manor, Bradford, PA following a short illness.

Born November 26, 1919 in Salamanca, NY, she was the daughter of the late John and Lillian Mohr Brown. She was married to Mr. James Bentley, who predeceased her in 1967.

Mrs. Bentley had been employed at the former Fancher Furniture Company for forty years, retiring in 1987. She had also previously worked at the former Nabisco and Salamanca Woolen Mills in Salamanca, and in the housekeeping department of the former Castle Restaurant in Olean.

She was a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Kill Buck, NY, where she taught Sunday school for many years.

She was adored by all who knew her. With her strong Christian faith, she became the monarch of her family. She will be remembered for helping with the care of all her grandchildren; babysitting, birthdays, holidays, and getting them to and from events and activities. In her younger years, she enjoyed the outdoors and rink roller skating.

Surviving are: two sons, Gary (Clara) Wilder, Olean, NY, Curtis Wilder, Salamanca, NY; 13 grandchildren, Jimmy Dean (Shirley) Oakes, Brenda Barlow, Gary (Sue) Wilder, Linda Wilder, William (Jessica) Wilder, Rebecca (Duane) Hurd, Levi (Rhonda) Thompson, Matthew (Karen) Wilder, Mary (Timothy Griffin) Maynard, Diana (David) Landmeier, Sheila (Donald) Edwards, Cynthia (Michael Oakes) Wilder, James (Kathleen Gunn) Wilder; 41 great-grandchildren; 42 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jeanne Gaymor, Mountain Top, PA, Marion Mealey, Bradford, PA; a brother, George Brown, Salamanca, NY; a former daughter-in-law and special friend, Gloria Spiller; several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind one great grandchild and three great-great grandchildren on the way.

She was predeceased by two great-great grandsons, Gabriel and Matthew, and a great-great granddaughter, Victoriana, who predeceased her exactly one year ago to the day, and a brother, John Brown.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11 a.m. in the Alliance Community Church, Route 417, Kill Buck, NY with Rev. Terry Davis officiating.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

Burial will be in Green Cemetery, Great Valley, NY.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.