BENTLEY, Layton C (Rev) - Putnam

Dr. Layton C. Bentley, age 73, long one of the foremost figures in the Methodist Episcopal clergy of Indiana, former pastor of several prominent ME Churches in the state and former superintendent of the Indianapolis and Kokomo districts of the denomination mentioned died here at 7:45 o’clock Sunday evening at his home, 100 South Philips street after an invalidism of more than a year. Dr. Bentley was overcome with a heart disorder in May 1935, from which he never entirely recovered. On Jan 16 this year he was again stricken and from that time declined steadily to the end.  Layton Coval Bentley was born in Missouri Sept 19, 1864 the son of a Civil War Army surgeon. Early in his boyhood, the family moved to Plattsville, Ill where he grew to manhood.  After finishing work in the public schools  he attended the Illinois Normal School at Normal. Upon completion of his training there, he taught for several years, accumulating resources to put himself through college.  Entering DePauw University, he made a brilliant record in scholarship, and before his graduated was elected to membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Scholarship Fraternity. It was in his university period he became recognized as a temperance lecturer of particular power. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta National College fraternity and member of the Kokomo Alumni Association of the fraternity.  Upon finishing at DePauw, he entered the Boston School of Theology where he received the degree of Dr. of Philosophy.  His academic training completed, he entered the Methodist Episcopal ministry his first pastorate being at Williamsport. From there he went to Brazil, where he remained several years. During his pastorage there, the present Brazil ME Church was erected.  Under his leadership the Sunday School of his charge attained record-breaking size.  From Brazil he was transferred to Indianapolis where the Broadway ME Church was erected under his leadership. After serving that congregation five years he was appointed superintendent of the Indianapolis district, a position which occupied his time for six years. His next assignment was to Vincennes. While there, the church edifice of his congregation burned.  He immediately started a rebuild campaign which resulted in the present stately structure which is one of Vincennes possessions in which the entire community takes pride. From Vincennes, he went to the First ME Church of Anderson. While in service there he was appointed superintendent of the Kokomo district, coming here in 1925 and remaining here continuously afterward. After six years as district superintendent here, he retired, his health having become impaired. After a period of rest, he again became active, returning to the calling in which he had won distinction in his student days that of temperance lectures. In this field he had marked success. He was long active in the counsels and work of the Anti-Saloon League.  As a young man he married Josephine Eads of Greencastle, who died in 1922.  In 1924, he married Mrs. DA Munson the widow of one of his particular friends who had died several years before.  She, with a son and daughter by his first marriage, Prof. Gerald Bentley, a member of the faculty of Chicago University and Mrs. Josephine Cannell of Milwaukee, three grandchildren and a stepdaughter, Marion Munson Bentley now a student at DePauw, survives him.  Broadly informed, well trained for his chosen work, firmly grounded in his faith and sincere in his purpose, Dr. Bentley made a fine and enduring contribution in both his church and the cause of temperance. He was an effective crusader for each and at the end of life could look back upon truly noteworthy achievements. He was quick of sympathy, ready of understanding, cheerful, amiable and unfailingly sociable – the kind of man who leaves a pleasant and enduring memory.  Funeral services will be held at Grace ME Church Tuesday forenoon at 10 o’clock the Rev. CG Yeomans, present superintendent of the Kokomo ME District officiating. – kz