Alan McKelvey Bentley

Alan McKelvey Bentley, 80, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, May 5, 2012 after a three-month battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome, at Northside Hospital in Cumming, GA. Passing on Cinco de Mayo is ironic as Alan loved Mexican Food, especially during his chemo treatments. Alan was born in Meadville, PA to Margaret (McKelvey) and Alan L. Bentley. He served in the United States Army and in the Korean War for 18 months and then pursued and received his Engineering Degree from Alfred University. Alan retired from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works as a Civil Engineer after more than thirty years of service. He enjoyed reading (or keeping his mind sharp, as he d like to put it), watching old classic movies, exercising and going to the gym up to the time he was diagnosed with his disease. In his youth, he was an avid basketball player and even played against the Harlem Globetrotters. A celebration of his life service is planned for Saturday, May 12th at 3PM at McDonald and Son Funeral Home in Cumming, GA. The family will receive friends immediately following at the home of Maggie and Mike Odenbrett, in Suwanee, GA, from 5PM 8PM. A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Alan is survived by his wife, Rosario R. Bentley of 45 years, son Frederick J. Rodriguez, and daughter and son-in-law, Margaret A. Odenbrett and Michael J. Odenbrett as well as grandchildren, Steven F. Rodriguez, Carly R. Rodriguez, Ian M. Odenbrett and Cassidy A. Odenbrett, and one great grandson, Steven F. Rodriguez, Jr. Alan s immediate family would like to thank everyone, from extended family and friends to the scores of individuals who crossed Alan's path, for all of their kindness, love, and support they gave him throughout his illness. The many visits and words of support on his Caring Bridge web site will be forever cherished. Secondly, the family would like to acknowledge and thank the wonderful medical staff at Kaiser Permanente and Northside Hospital who so lovingly and professionally tended to Alan's needs during his illness. And finally, Alan's family would like everyone to share in the comfort of knowing that Alan has reached his place in Heaven and is within the company of his mother and father, his sister, and once again with his baby son, Alan R. Bentley. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at: www.lls.org; or to Alfred University: www.alfred.edu/alumni/ Death leaves a heartache difficult to heal; love leaves sweet memories no one can steal. (Taken from an Irish grave site written in 1806 ) Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9899