MERLIN G. BENTLEY, 92, longtime Fort Morgan resident died early Tuesday morning, April 28, 2009 at the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush. He was born in Illinois on February 28, 1917. He married Eva (Venard) Griffith in Fort Morgan in 1976. Mr. Bentley worked at Gates Rubber for 35 years before his retirement. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Fort Morgan, the American Legion Auxiliary Post 19 and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 2551. Survivors include his wife, Eva Bentley of Fort Morgan; three stepdaughters, Joann Graff, Margaret Godo, and Carol Prevost, all of Fort Morgan; two stepsons, Delbert Griffith, and Harold Griffith, also of Fort Morgan. He is also survived by 31 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and one sister; and his stepdaughter, Janice Meininger. Visitation will be Thursday, April 30th from 4 – 7 PM at the Heer & Dahl Mortuary in Fort Morgan. Funeral services will be Friday, May 1st at 10:00 AM at the First Christian Church in Fort Morgan. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens in Fort Morgan. Friends may make memorial gifts to the First Christian Church, 225 West Bijou Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701. The Heer & Dahl Mortuary in Fort Morgan is in charge of arrangements.