Virginia "Jean" Bentel, 87, was born in Lakewood, NJ and passed away on August 18, 2017 in Stuart, Fl after an extended illness. She grew up in Toms River, NJ and graduated from Toms River High School in 1947. Jean was a long time resident of Stuart having moved there in 1948 where she met and married Fred Bentel in 1949. He preceded her in death in 1996 while they were living in Blairsville, GA. Jean was also preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth Gray of Stuart, and brother Jesse Robbins of Lyman, SC.

Survivors include three sons, Karl (Judy) and Mark (Maria) of Stuart, and John of Washington, DC, 6 grandchildren: Dayna Jean Bentel, Debra Aquino, Denise Brodie, Jackie Wicks, Jenny Fields & Victor Mendez, 12 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Robert Gray of Stuart, sister-in-law Kil Ye Robbins of Lyman, SC, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jean worked as secretary-bookkeeper for D.P. DeBerry & Assoc, Surveyors for 18 years and was also employed by the Martin County Tax Collector.

Jean resided in Blairsville, Ga. from 1990-2004, spending the winters in Stuart. Her greatest enjoyment was in serving the Lord and giving back to her beloved church family. She held many positions and volunteered her time in the First Baptist Church of Stuart, Salerno Road Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Blairsville and Tropical Farms Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading, walking, swimming, ceramics and other crafts.

A memorial service and celebration of Jean's life will be held on August 26 at 11:00 am at Tropical Farms Baptist Church, 1555 SW Kanner Hwy, Stuart, Fl 34997 . In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Building Fund Tropical Farms Baptist Church, Treasure Coast Hospice or the charity of your choice.