McArthur Resident Mary Bentley Dies at 88; Funeral Today

Mary Louise Caudill Bentley, 88, of McArthur, passed away on Jan. 2, 2026 at The Pavilion at Piketon. Born Oct. 28, 1937, Bentley lived most of her life in the Vinton County area and is remembered by relatives and community members who gathered this week for services.

A visitation took place on Jan. 6, and funeral services are scheduled for Jan. 7 at Jenkins Chapel; Jenkins Funeral Chapel is managing the arrangements. The obituary public notice lists surviving family members and outlines additional service details as provided by the family and funeral home.

Bentley’s death marks the loss of a long-standing member of the McArthur community. As residents attend services or reach out to the family, local churches, neighbors and civic groups often play a role in supporting bereaved families in small counties like Vinton, where social ties and multigenerational households remain important. Funerals and visitations also concentrate local travel and small-business activity for a day or two, from florists and local caterers to clergy and funeral services, drawing modest but tangible economic activity into town.

For many older residents of Vinton County, deaths such as Bentley’s underscore broader demographic trends in rural Ohio, where aging populations and outmigration of younger residents have left communities with higher median ages and greater demand for elder care services. Facilities like The Pavilion at Piketon are part of the regional network of long-term care and assisted living that serve older adults across county lines.

Neighbors and anyone seeking additional information about services or family acknowledgments should contact Jenkins Funeral Chapel, which is overseeing the arrangements. As the community reflects on Bentley’s life, the gathering at Jenkins Chapel provides an immediate opportunity for family, friends and neighbors to honor her memory and offer support to those she leaves behind.