Raymond Joseph Bentz

Raymond Joseph Bentz, Sr., age 86, of Gulfport died Sunday, November 1, 2015 in Gulfport. He was born in New Orleans, LA and was a lifelong resident of the coast. He was a retired local business owner. He was a graduate of St. Joseph High School in Pass Christian and a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Pass Christian. His hobby was gardening. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Irene Bennett Bentz; parents, Stan L. Bentz, Sr. and Vera Marie Sellier Bentz, a sister, Gloria Hophan, and son-in-law, James “Ron” Sperance. Mr. Bentz is survived by four daughters, Connie Sperance of Germantown, TN, Bonnie (Tyler) Harvey of Gulf Shores, AL, Jane (Danny) Boone, and Shelly (Granville) Ford all of Biloxi; a son, Raymond Bentz, Jr. of Gulfport; a sister, Shirley (Maynard) O’Hara of Daphne, AL; two brothers, Stan L. (Betty) Bentz, Jr. of Long Beach and Leonard (Helen) Bentz, Sr. of Biloxi; nine grandchildren, James Sperance, Cameron Sperance, Danielle Davis, Daniel Boone, Sara Boone, Olivia Boone, Tabitha Boone, Sally Monahan, Betsy Bryant; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Pass Christian where friends may visit beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Old Delisle Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Pink Heart Fund, P.O. Box 1047, Long Beach, MS 39560 or to one’s favorite charity. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com