Hank Jacob Henry Bentz Obituary (1942

Mr. Jacob Henry "Hank" Bentz, age 83, of Madison, Indiana, entered eternal rest on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 7:03 a.m. at the Norton Hosparus Inpatient Unit in Louisville, Kentucky. A lifelong Madison resident and a man whose legacy was built on service, kindness, and deep community roots, Hank will be remembered as a leader, mentor, and friend to many. Hank was born on June 27, 1942, in Madison, Indiana, the loving son of the late Henry Dewitt and Hazel Maddox Bentz. He grew up in the community that would come to define his life's work and devotion. A proud graduate of Madison Consolidated High School in 1961, he excelled not only academically but also athletically, serving as a starting guard on the undefeated 1959-60 Madison Cubs basketball team-a team still fondly remembered. On September 1, 1962, Hank married the love of his life, Gwendolyn Annette Liter, at the North Madison Christian Church. Together they shared 63 years of marriage, raising two children, Brad and Nicole, and building a home filled with laughter, faith, and unwavering support. Following high school, Hank attended the University of Dubuque in Iowa, where he continued both his education and his love for basketball as a member of the Spartans. His professional journey began at the Madison Courier, where he worked as a darkroom technician, reporter/photographer, and novice Sports Editor. His gift for storytelling and community connection through words continued throughout his lifetime. While living in Dubuque, Hank served as the Charter Director of News and Sports Information at the university before returning to Madison in 1967. He went on to serve as News and Sports Director for WORX Radio until 1975, becoming a familiar voice across the community. Hank's desire to serve extended beyond journalism and communications. In January 1976, he joined the administration of Mayor Dr. Warren Rucker as Director of Special Projects and Assistant to the Mayor, serving until 1983. Beginning in 1984, he transitioned to Ivy Tech Community College where he served first as Director of Human Resources for twenty years and then as Executive Director of Marketing and Communications for an additional nine years before retiring in March, 2014. Driven by civic responsibility, Hank became the youngest Madison City Council member in history at age 30. In the aftermath of the devastating April 3, 1974 tornado, he served as co-director of a major disaster relief center, demonstrating steady leadership during a time of crisis. His commitment to Madison was expansive and humble. For 40 years, he served on the Board of Directors for the Miss Madison Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Team, many of those as Secretary and Public Relations representative. His community involvement also included leadership roles with the City of Madison Port Authority, Madison-Jefferson County Television Cable Board, Jefferson County United Way, Boy Scouts of America, Historic Madison Inc., and many more. He was a familiar and welcome presence as master of ceremonies and announcer at countless community events including the Regatta Parade, Hanover College Hall of Fame Banquet, and the Madison Chamber of Commerce Dinner. Throughout his lifetime of service, Hank received many honors, including the Madison Jaycees Community Service Award, Kentucky Colonel designation, Madison Chamber of Commerce Award, and a special plaque recognizing 40 years of dedication to the Miss Madison Racing Team. While Hank achieved much in his life, his greatest and most meaningful milestone was found in his faith. In 1974, he was baptized into Christ at Salem Christian Church in Cross Plains, Indiana. He often shared that accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior-and the promise of eternal life-was his most cherished accomplishment. Hank's devotion to family, his commitment to community, and his steadfast integrity leave a remarkable legacy. He was a man of presence-steady, thoughtful, and deeply invested in the lives and future of those around him. He will be deeply missed, but his influence will continue to live on in the community he loved and served so well. Please Click Here to View the Tribute Video Please Click Here to View the Funeral Service Recording A LOVING FAMILY Hank will be missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Gwendolyn Annette Liter Bentz of Madison, Indiana; his loving son, Brad Bentz and his wife, Dottie of Madison, Indiana; his loving daughter, Nicole Bentz LeGrand and her husband, Keith of Madison, Indiana; his loving grandchildren, Dustin Bentz, Emily Spitler (Jonathon), Erica Cloyd (Tanner), Brian LeGrand, and Amanda Nunn (Dakota); his adoring great-grandchildren, Sydney Spitler, Karoline Spitler, Parker Spitler, Hadley Spitler, Owen Cloyd, Annie Cloyd, Brinley LeGrand, Crew Clark, Wells Nunn, and Asher Bentz; his brother, Kevin Bentz and his wife, Heather of Troy, Indiana; his stepbrother, Daniel Hickey and his wife, Tracy of Jacksonville, Florida; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Darleen Connolly and her husband, John of Madison, Indiana; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Dewitt Bentz, died June 19, 2011, his mother, Hazel Maddox Bentz, died March 2, 1998, his stepmother, Mary Louise Massie Bentz, died February 29, 1980, his stepbrother, Thomas Earl Wilson, II, died September 16, 2025, his father-in-law, Homer Dalton Liter, died July 25, 1998, and his mother-in-law, Mary Anne Pendleton Liter, died August 29, 2017. FUNERAL CEREMONY Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., by Bro. Mark Roseberry at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Moffett Cemetery in Milton, Kentucky. VISITATION Friends may visit Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Hanover. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover. Online condolences, remembrances, and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com To Place An Online Memorial Donation Please Click Here To send a flower arrangement in memory of Hank Jacob Henry Bentz, please click here to visit our sympathy store.