GAIL C. BENTZ LEWISTON – Mrs. Gail C. Bentz, 64, of Elaine Avenue died late Tuesday evening March 15, 2005, at d’Youville Pavilion with her family at her side. She was born Sept. 26, 1940, in Old Town, a daughter of Alfred and Pauline (Pelletier) Ballargeon. She was educated in Old Town schools and graduated from Old Town High School in 1958. Gail worked as a homemaker all her married years and was always very involved in community and Veterans’ affairs and doing volunteer work for charities. She was a member of the Lewiston Lodge of Elks where she held several elected positions and was also a member of the VFW Ladies Auxilliary Post 9150, which she founded and served as its charter President the first two years. In addition she was a member of American Legion Post 158 Ladies’ Auxiliary as well as Franco American Veterans’ Ladies Auxiliary. She was also an advocate for several years for the Ombudsman Program for the State of Maine. In her free time she enjoyed traveling, camping, shopping and socializing with friends. She leaves her husband, Arthur W. Bentz, of Lewiston, whom she married Jan. 22, 1977; two daughters, Lisa Hebert and husband, Michael, of Greene and Debra Michaud and husband, Raynold, of Wrightston, N.J.; two sons Matthew Costello and wife, Cecile, of Old Town and David Costello and wife, Sally, of Baltimore, Md.; her mother, Pauline Ballargeon of Old Town; nine grandchildren, John, Benjamin, Colby, Simon, Samuel, Thomas, Britni, Alexandra and Grace; six step-children, Art Bentz and wife, Mary, Bobby Bentz and wife, Marie, Jim Bentz and wife, Jen, Karen Strobel and husband, John, Kim Carmardello and husband, Jerry and Linda Diehl and husband, Corey, all of Illinois; 18 stepgrandchildren; a sister, Cheryl Petrie and husband, Robert, of Benton; two nephews, Jason Petrie, Troy Petrie; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She was predeceased by her first husband, John Costello on Sept. 25, 1968, and by her father, Alfred. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at Fortin Group/Plummer & Merrill, Turner Street, Auburn. A Rite of Christian Burial with Communion and Final Commendation will be celebrated 2 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Holy Family Parish, 429 Main St., Old Town. Interment will take place in the spring at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Old Town. Those wishing may make donations in her memory to the American Cancer Society, One Main St. Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Turner & Center Streets, Auburn. www.dignitymemorial.com
GAIL C. BENTZ
