David J. “Jerry” Bentham
David J. “Jerry” Bentham
David J. “Jerry” Bentham, 86, of Westfield, NY passed away peacefully on the morning of March 29, 2023, at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk, NY.
Jerry was born Aug. 31, 1936, in Dunkirk, NY the son of Wesley R. and Margaret Barlow Bentham. .
He attended and graduated from Pine Valley Central School in the class of 1955 . Following high school, Jerry was drafted to serve his country right out of high school until his honorable discharge in 1958 as a soldier with the US Army.
Jerry had been employed at Marlin – Rockwell in Falconer, NY and Kraft Foods in Dunkirk, NY as a fork lift operator, and it was there where he met the love of his life Elaine.
Jerry and his late wife Elaine were married in Fredonia, NY and were married for 62 years prior to her passing.
In 1969, he and Elaine went into partnership and they purchased the Cherry Creek Hardware and Stove Shop, which they owned and operated for 40 years, retiring in 2008.
He enjoyed traveling with his wife throughout the United States, Europe and Alaska.
Jerry was a member of the Cherry Creek Fire Department for 45 years, was a member of the Westfield Moose Lodge #118, the Cassadaga, Westfield, and Brocton American Legion’s and was a 50 year member of the Cherry Creek Masonic Lodge.
Jerry loved fishing in Lake Erie and taking care of and mowing his lawn,but most of all, his greatest joys were his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Left behind to cherish his memories are his loving children; daughter; Susan Bentham, sons; Thomas (Kendrick), Ronald (Robyn), and Timothy (Lidia) Bentham, loving grandchildren; Landon (Emma) Bentham, Lindsie (Jeremiah) Graham, Adam (Rachel), Drew (Emily), Paige (Rick), Brendan (Ana), Alexandrea, Connor Bentham, and Emily Grace Shick, loving great grandchildren, Sawyer, Mary Austin, Amelia Bentham.
In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Smith.
Friends may call at the Morse Funeral Home, 51 Highland Avenue, Brocton, NY on Thursday,
April 6, 2023, from 2 – 4 pm where funeral services will begin there at 4 pm with the John W. Dill Post 434 of Brocton, NY providing military honors.
Private burial will be in the Cherry Creek Central Cemetery, Cherry Creek, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Jerry may be made to the Westfield Fire Department Rescue Squad, 20 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY 14787.
To leave a message of sympathy or to share a story with Jerry’s family, log on to; www.themorsefuneralhome@gmail.com