Delbert E. Bent
Delbert E. Bent, age 94, of Liberty, IL, died on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in Blessing Hospital. He was born on December 8, 1930, in Clayton, IL the son of Orion and Florence (Kirlin) Bent. He married Norma L. Clark on August 24, 1952, in Camp Point, IL. After returning from the Army, he and Norma started farming with her parents, Iven and Edith Clark near Liberty, retiring in 2000. Delbert and Norma’s farming legacy has since been continued by the Don and Diana McCleary family.
Delbert graduated from Camp Point High School in 1948 and attended 3 years of college at Lincoln Bible Institute in Lincoln, IL. Delbert then served in the United States Army during the Korean War attaining the rank of Corporal. Delbert was a realtor with George Mating Realtor Company in Quincy after retiring from farming.
He was a 70-year member of the Liberty American Legion Post# 640. Delbert served on the Liberty School Board from 1960-1966. He was a longtime member of the Liberty Lions Club serving in many capacities, including president.
Currently, Delbert was a faithful member of The Crossing Church in Pike County. For years was an active member of the Liberty Christian Church where he was an Elder, served as a Youth Group Leader establishing the ‘Happy Life Singers’ and often filled in at local churches as a guest preacher. He and his family hosted many missionaries in their home over the years. Delbert joined the Payson Masonic Lodge No. 379 in 1966 and was currently a 32 Degree member.
He played a big role at Quincy Little Theatre helping in many capacities including stage manager building sets, acting, and assisting with the lighting. Among other awards, at QCT he received the Quilta award of outstanding actor 3 years, Technical Award, and Directors Award.
Delbert was inducted into the Liberty Hall of Fame as a Friend of Education in 2011 and an honorary member of the Liberty FHA. Delbert enjoyed taking trips with school clubs and along with Chuck Deverger took the high school science club to southern Illinois and on canoe trips to the boundary waters in Minnesota. Delbert and Norma traveled to all 50 states, visited Europe, took many cruises once passing through the Panama Canal, and various other cruises. He traveled with Goodwin Travel Company and had fun with his friends, Karen and Dennis Goodwin and Phyllis Robertson. Delbert enjoyed local restaurants, Milky’s in Barry, his favorites a “Jeff’s Special” from Gem City Pizzeria & liver and onions from Sprouts.
Delbert was an avid reader of a variety of books. He liked doing jigsaw puzzles and reciting and memorizing poems. His hobbies also included bowling and traveling to tournaments. In his retirement he took up birdwatching and participating in bird counts with the late George Schneider. He volunteered with Blessing HOSPICE and would take patients for boat rides on the family lake. He is especially well known for his distinctive voice and salesmanship on the Oak Furniture Gallery commercials. He especially loved visits from his grand dog miniature poodles ‘Toby’ and ‘Teddy’. Delbert truly loved spending time with his family. They are certain that he is enjoying his reunion with his bride Norma.
Delbert is survived by:
Two children: Charles L. “Chuck” Bent of Liberty, IL and Linda Mathews (Gregory) also of Liberty.
Six grandchildren: Amy Vickers of Liberty, IL, Thomas Bent (Samantha) of Warsaw, IL, David Bent (Jessica) of Liberty, IL, Brett Mathews (Emily) of Camp Point, IL, Lindsay Dugan of Griggsville, IL, and Tyler Mathews (Dr. Jennifer Lee) of San Antonio, TX.
A sister, Betty Balzer of Quincy, and a brother Dale Bent (Margaret) of Lincoln, IL.
11 Great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews, and other relatives also survive.
Delbert was preceded in death by his wife, parents, grandson Alexander Clark Bent, brother Wayne Bent (Nadene), and brother-in-law Kenneth Balzer.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home. Interment with military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #640 will take place at Quincy Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21st from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Duker and Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Pike County Crossing or to Blessing Foundation for Hospice. Messages may be shared online at www.dukerandhaugh.com.
Prayers for comfort for his family. So grateful I got to know this wonderful man. My brother was a ‘city boy’ before he spent a summer helping Delbert on his farm. 🙂 turned into farmer.
He learned so much from Delbert & passed his knowledge on to my boys. So grateful for Delbert ‘s kindness & patience. I’m sure Norma is smiling. God bless ♡
Dear Bent family,
We are so sorry for your loss, and oh, how we will miss that sweet man!
You can’t help but smile when you think of Delbert….and of how he could tell a story, (maybe sometimes a “big fish” story), how he would share our excitement of bird-watching, and mostly of how he would make each and every one of us feel special.
I guess it takes one to know one, because he was a very special man.
May you enjoy some story-telling and laughter when you remember him now.
You’re all in our thoughts and prayers,
The George Schneider family
I have fond memories of Science Club trips collecting snakes at Shawnee National Forest, floating the Current River, and canoeing for a week in Boundary Waters in MN. Delbert did a great job of letting us take responsibility (driving his station wagon while towing a trailer), and teaching us life lessons along the way. His generosity and keen interest in our lives were certainly appreciated. May the calls of spring peepers and Whip-Poor-Wills serenade him in the place that God has prepared for him.
Deepest sympathies to the Bent Family — Being a graduate of Liberty High School, all knew Delbert. I remember him driving school buses to many events – we were always greeted with a smile, some good one liners and always a story. A smile comes to my face every time I see or hear “his” commercials. Rest in peace Delbert!
Like the Schneider kids, I got to know Delbert through his involvement with Liberty High School science club trips. I made the spur of the moment decision my senior year to join the science club trip to Southern Illinois and got to know Delbert as the generous, kind soul who poured into high school students at Liberty. Such fun driving in that brown station wagon on that trip and then later that summer to the Current River. I discovered my love for meteor showers sleeping out under the stars that August and try to catch them now whenever I can! Delbert instilled a love for nature in us kids…just the beauty around us that was meant to be savored and experienced! One of my great honors as the editor of the 1982 Liberty yearbook was taking that yearbook out to Delbert and showing him that we had dedicated it to him! He made such an impact on so many people–young and old, and I’m so grateful I got to know him! My prayers go to his family and friends who will grieve a heavy loss.
Condolences to the Bent family … Delbert was one of the most gentle and giving persons I have known. I was always impressed with how much he gave of himself to the youth of our community! I was lucky to have spent time with Delbert starting back in high school. During the summer of 1977, Delbert generously offered the “Bent station wagon” to drive Dot Nelson and Mr. Deverger’s biology club (including me and my brother, Greg) to the Boundary Waters National Park in MN. Delbert loved “tagging” along on the canoe trip and added so much to that trip with his laughter and stories at the camp sites! For me, his gentleness and humble nature were evident in so many ways, but one occasion stands out to me … I helped disc a few fields for planting during the spring of 1978 in his air-conditioned tractor (1st time I got to enjoy AC on a tractor!). As he was showing me how to operate the tractor, he ran the outer blade of the disc into a woven-wire fence. He quickly stopped and I was expecting a few choice words from him, but instead Delbert simply laughed at himself for letting it happen and then told me “Now that’s not the way I want you to do it”! May peace be with your family at this difficult time and know that Delbert’s kind nature touched so many lives in our community. God Bless!
Chuck and Family, so sorry to hear of the Delbert’s passing. I have extremely fond memories of working with him on several projects at QLT. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Rest In Peace, Windy!
Cap’t Andy
Delbert’s legacy is joy, caring, and friendship. He always greeted you with a happy voice and big smile. He loved being involved with young adults, as I was lucky enough to join him on a Boundary Waters canoe trip, where he gave me the CB radio handle “paddle breaker”. He extended his graciousness to our entire family, including George’s grandsons who loved fishing at his farm. Delbert was genuine and he deeply loved his family. We all need more Delberts in our lives. Heaven is rejoicing now that he is there.
Greg Schneider
I just came across this obituary, and am so sorry we did not keep in better touch. Norma was my mom’s cousin, so he was part of the family. Delbert and Norma were such a special couple. Her more serious, and him cracking everyone up with his commentary. He was a wonderful man, and I know the last time I talked to him he was missing Norma mightily. I am imagining the two of them reunited and joyful to be back together. Linda and Chuck, my condolences to you and your families. You had an amazing set of parents.