City of Springfield mourns passing of Dr. John Bentley

(From the City of Springfield)

Mayor Ken McClure and the City of Springfield mourn the loss of John D. Bentley, M.D., a physician, humanitarian and friend. “Dr. Bentley offered a lifetime of service to others and changed the Springfield community for the better,” said Mayor McClure. “He saved many lives, and for others who knew him – he made their lives better.”

Dr. Bentley served 35 years in private practice in Springfield as a cardiologist/internist. In 1985, he began spending many additional volunteer hours each week as the founding Medical Director of the Kitchen Clinic, serving the homeless and poor alongside Sister Lorraine Biebel. 

In 2003 he helped establish and find funding for the Jordan Valley Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center serving the Ozarks’ medically underprivileged population. He served there as Medical Director and family practitioner for two decades, continuing to treat patients into his 80s.

“John Bentley’s legacy will live on in this community forever,” McClure concluded. “Springfield is a better place because of Dr. Bentley.”