Obituary of Elise Bentzel

Elsie Fields Bentzel, age 93, of Orlando, FL, formerly of Manheim, PA, passed away at Vitas Hospice Care Unit at Manor Care in Winter Park, FL, Monday, January 31, 2011. Mrs. Bentzel was born on April 26, 1917, in Stuart, Virginia, the 2nd daughter of the late Frank and Lena Martin Fields. She moved to Pennsylvania with her family and graduated from Manheim High School in 1936. She went on to Beauty School where she was granted a certificate of registration as an Operator in a Beauty Shop on September 7, 1937. She married her husband, Harry J. Bentzel, on November 24, 1938, and they built their home in Manheim the following year. She was a lifetime member of Salem United Methodist Church in Manheim. With her deep love of music and devotion to her church, she volunteered at church activities and sang in the choir for over 45 years. She was a dedicated housewife and enjoyed raising her son and tending to her home and husband. She retired from the Manheim Auto Auction after 25 years of service to relocate to Orlando and be near her son. In 1999, after suffering a stroke, she moved into her son's home and lived there until her death.

She is survived by her son, Donald R. Bentzel of Orlando, FL; a brother, James David Hilliard of Manheim, and a sister-in-law, Eva Mae Bentzel of Manheim; several nieces, Joan R. Laws of Elon, NC, Mary Jean Ludwig of Denver, PA, June Elise Krieder of Lebanon, PA; nephews, James DeBoe, Jr. of Galak, VA, Joel DeBoe of Danville, VA, Paul H. Bentzel of VA, David Hilliard of Manheim; Darin Hilliard of Lancaster, PA; and William, Ronald, Kenneth and Larry Myers, of PA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry J. Bentzel; sisters, Lucille Anderson, Helen Myers, and Blanche DeBoe; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Bentzel Helt and Mary H. Hilliard.

A celebration of her life is planned for Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Salem United Methodist Church, 140 North Penn Street, Manheim, PA. Interment will be in Manheim Fairview Cemetery, Manheim, PA. There will be no viewing. Guests will be received on the day of the service from 10 AM until the time of the service. If desired, contributions may be made in her memory to Vitas Hospice Care at ManorCare, 2075 Loch Lamond Drive, Winter Park, FL 32792. To express a condolence or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.