Gregory John Bentler

Gregory John Bentler

Iowa City

Gregory John Bentler, 59, passed away on July 23, 2025.

Gregg was full of life and always ready for an adventure. He had a great love for his wife and daughters and was a dear friend to many. His many passions included sports, travel, attending concerts, and playing golf. He loved University of Iowa athletics, the Chicago Bears and the St. Louis Cardinals. A long-time season ticket holder for both Bears and Cardinals games, he often traveled along with family and friends to see his teams play. His perfect weekend consisted of tailgating with family and friends before a Hawkeye football game and traveling to see the Chicago Bears play the next day.

He was proud to be the public address announcer for many University of Iowa teams, including the men’s basketball team. He was known for his friendly nature and enjoyed walking through Carver-Hawkeye Arena with a larger-than-life greeting for everyone he saw. Some of the highlights of his many travels included vacations with his family in Hawaii, following his favorite sports teams, and Iowa Hawkeye cruises.

Gregg was born on February 10, 1966 in Burlington, Iowa to Gervase and Darlene Angell Bentler. He married Carol Marshall Bentler, his wife of 27 years, on May 30, 1998 at First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. They resided happily in Iowa City throughout their marriage.

Gregg graduated from Marquette High School, West Point, Iowa, in 1984 and from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business in 1988 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Gregg worked in various marketing/publishing positions throughout his career. Most recently, Gregg enjoyed working as the public address announcer for the University of Iowa men’s basketball, men’s baseball and men’s gymnastics teams. Over the years, he also assisted as an announcer for other University of Iowa sports.

Gregg’s passion was his family and friends. Survivors include his wife Carol (Marshall) Bentler and daughters Brianna, Fishers, Indiana, and Ashley, Iowa City. He is also survived by brothers Jim Bentler and wife Diane, Rowlett, Texas; Dan Bentler, Pensacola, Florida; Dave Bentler, Pensacola, Florida; sisters Julie Bentler and wife Nancy Engelhardt, Pensacola, Florida; Lisa (Bentler) Fitzsimmons and husband Bob, Coralville, Iowa; mother-in-law Carolyn Marshall, Veedersburg, Indiana. Gregg was a special uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Gregg was preceded in death by his mother Darlene Bentler, Houghton, Iowa; father Gervase Bentler, Bonaparte, Iowa; brother Mike, sister-in-law Sandra, and nieces Sheena, Shelby, and Shayne, Bonaparte, Iowa.

Family and friends will be received in the Feller Club Room at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a celebration of life following at 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to CommUnity Crisis Center, 1121 S. Gilbert Court, Iowa City, IA 52240 or NAMI Johnson County, 1531 S. Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA 52240.