David William Bentley, age 45, departed this earthly life too soon on Thursday, December 12, 2024. David was born January 20, 1979 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. David was lovingly adopted by William and Mary Bentley on March 14, 1979. It was love at first sight when we looked into his bright blue eyes, saw his happy smile and cherub cheeks. A few weeks later David charmed
the relatives when we introduced him to grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
David's first 18 months were spent in Iowa City, Iowa where his father worked for the Veterans Administration. While living in Iowa, we finalized his adoption on October 30, 1979, our family of three was sealed together in the temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St George, Utah for "time and all eternity".
Our family moved to Saint Louis, Missouri in June of 1980 where his sister Alayne was born. While living in Missouri we recognized his love of music when as a joyful toddler he would dance every time he heard a song. He was a loving son and we praised him often, so much that when asked his name, he replied, "Good Boy." As a family we experienced more moves to advance his father's career with the VA, crisscrossing the
country to Grand Island, Nebraska; Salt Lake City, Utah and Lebanon, Pennsylvania where his sister Nicole was born. David completed kindergarten in Pennsylvania. The next family move was to Wichita, Kansas. David began piano lessons, even though his teacher thought he might be too young. He excelled and impressed his teacher with his musical talent. David was a strong athlete playing soccer and participating in weekly swim lessons. David's baby sister Ginger was born in Wichita making him a big brother to three sisters. David completed first grade in Wichita before our family moved to Richmond, Virginia.
David attended Beulah Elementary School second through sixth grades and had fun with his friends living in our cul-de-sac. He joined the Cub Scouts which kept him busy with weekly den meetings and included our family for pack meetings, Pinewood Derby races and campouts. He expanded his musical skills by playing the alto sax and continuing to impress his piano teacher by learning to play the piano by ear. At the age
of 8, David was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on January 31, 1987 and confirmed a member on February 1, 1987.
After an adventurous 4½ years in Virginia, our family moved for the last time in April of 1991 to Leavenworth, Kansas. David attended West Middle School and in May of 1997, graduated from Leavenworth High School. David also completed a 4-year Seminary course of study at our church each school day starting at 6:00 am. David was an active Boy Scout through middle school and into high school. He became an Eagle Scout following the project he spearheaded with other scouts where they volunteered for the 14 th Annual Veterans Wheelchair Games in Kansas City, Missouri held July 3-10, 1994.

David participated in organized sports in middle school but determined his athletic talent was in-line skating. David had been a paper boy for several years and when his supervisor at The Leavenworth Times discovered his talent, she asked David to perform a skating demo with his friends during the August 1995 Heritage Festival. Beverly Lumber provided the materials which David and his friends used to construct the ramps
that were transported and set up for the festival in front of the Leavenworth Times building on Seneca Street.
After high school, David worked in lawn care and was very proud of the perfect stripes he could lay down with the mower. After September 11, 2001, David followed his heart and enlisted in the Army. He graduated from Basic Training on June 28, 2002 at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore) Georgia. He completed the Airborne Course on July 19, 2002. His first duty station was Fort Polk (now Fort Johnson) Louisiana. He enjoyed
participating in the JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center) exercises and loved being in the field.
David married Karla Biehn on October 4, 2002 and they became a happy family of three with her 2-year-old son, Gavin. In the fall of 2003, David tore his ACL which required surgery and intensive physical therapy. His son Jacob was born January 6, 2004. Another corrective surgery in the spring of 2004 prevented him from being deployed with his unit and David chose to separate from the Army on August 8, 2004. His recognitions include, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
David returned to Leavenworth and worked with the grounds crew at Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth. In 2009, David relocated to Topeka, Kansas and after working for lawn and roofing companies he became self-employed in construction. Much of his spare time was spent at the keyboard composing songs and playing his guitar. David had a brilliant mind and could explain scientific methods and the function of all electronics. He was always available to his friends, helping them solve problems from plumbing to vehicle repair.
David was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert and Helen Bentley; his maternal grandparents, Eldon and Erma Raper; and step-grandmother, Catherine; his aunt and uncle Karen and Gary Jensen; and his dog, Twitch.

David is survived by his parents William and Mary Bentley; his sisters; Alayne, her husband Brian and their daughter Katie; Nicole, her husband Tony and their four children; Ginger and her fiancé Mike. The mother of his sons Karla, her husband Josh and their four children. Aunts and uncles; Robert and Linda of Divide, Colorado; Marsha and Rick of St George, Utah; Nancy and Kevin of Salt Lake City, Utah; and 15 cousins.
David's is also survived by his longtime companion, Amanda, who was by his side through the good times and the not so good times.

David was deeply loved, and he loved his family, friends and his pets, especially the crazy kittens. We are comforted knowing we will be with him and our Savior, Jesus Christ for all eternity.
Family visitation will be Monday, December 30, 2024 beginning at 9:30 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1020 Limit Street Leavenworth, Kansas 66048. Funeral Service at the church will begin at 11:00 am. Graveside Service and burial at 12:30 pm, Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048
Consider memorial donations to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (nchv.org) to support the patriotic men and women who have served to protect our freedom.
Final arrangements entrusted to Davis Funeral Chapel, Inc., 531 Shawnee Street, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048