(KS) Belleville Telescope March 9, 1950

Mrs. Alice Bentley

Alice Crisman, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Crisman, was born January 17, 1855, at Deep River, Ind., and died at the country home of her daughter, Mrs. Leslie Cossaart, near Mahaska on February 28, 1950, at the age of 95 years, 1 month and 11 days.

She spent her girlhood at Deep River, where on May 11, 1875, she became the bride of Joseph Bentley. To this union were born 10 children, six of whom died in early childhood.
In the fall of 1878, Mr. and Mrs. Bentley came to Kansas in typical pioneer fashion, to establish their home and take an active part in building a new community. Their home was a dug-out near Narka. Later they purchased a home southeast of Narka, where they lived until 1916, when they retired from farming and moved to Narka.
Soon after her arrival in Kansas, Mrs. Bentley became a member of the Friends church of the Pleasant View neighborhood. When this church disbanded, she joined the Presbyterian church of Narka. She was a charter member of the Order of the Eastern Star there.
To Mrs. Bentley was given the rare privilege of celebrating both her fifieth and sixieth wedding anniversaries with her husband. Mr. Bentley died in May 1938.

Her husband and six children, three brothers, nine sisters and her parents preceded her in death.
Survivors include her three daughters, Mrs. Nannie Kennedy of Narka, Mrs. Roy Shimp of Fairbury, and Mrs. Leslie Cossaart of Mahaska; a son, Thomas C. Bentley; five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held at Narka Presbyterian church, with the Rev. John P. Sinclair in charge. Interment was in Maple Grove cemetery.