Linda Bentz

Our beloved mother Linda "Gayle" Ladner Bentz went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother in the early morning hours of June 19th, 2021. She was 77 years old.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Leon and Euva Ladner; her brother-in-law, Ronald Garrett; her niece, Charlotte Hophan Smith; nephew, Mikkel Newell; great-nephew, Donald Bentz; great-nephew, Aaron Brown; and numerous aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her children, Sharon Bentz Mustered and her husband Ken, Leonard Bentz II and his wife Amber; her most precious grandchildren, Leonard "Len" Bentz III, Hunter Bentz, Madeline Powell, Linda Mustered, and Elizabeth Mustered.

Gayle is also survived by her sister, Carol Garrett; brothers, Bobby Ladner and his wife Irma, and Marlin Ladner and his wife Rebecca; her aunt, Euna Mae Ladner; numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Gayle was a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey College. She had a bachelor's degree in Business Education and a master's degree with post graduate studies in Educational Administration.

Gayle served as Assistant Principal at Biloxi High School for many years until her retirement in 2009. She was active in local, state, and national education and civic organizations. She was a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Department of Student Council Executive Directors, Mississippi Professional Educators, American Association of University Women, and the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce. She served as Executive Director of the Mississippi State Association of Student Council for 19 years until her illness in 2018.

Gayle's many awards include NASSP-DSA Mississippi Administrator of the Year for Co-Curricular Activities, the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce Administrator of the Year Award, the Air Force Junior ROTC Person of the Year, PTA Life Membership Award, the Mississippi Power Foundation Alan R. Barton Award for Excellence in Teaching, AAUW Coast Woman of Achievement, the Student Council Administrative Support Award, and was recognized by the Mississippi Department of Education for her outstanding contributions to co-curricular activities. She also received the NASSCED Lifetime Member Award.

Gayle was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church where she served as a Lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She loved traveling, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends. Gayle tremendously loved her family, her friends, and all of the students she taught and mentored. She always strived to have a positive influence and to give great guidance to those she was blessed to encounter. She will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to thank Gayle's wonderful caregivers Emma, Martha, Lonnie, Dianne, Bessie, Michella, Shawanna, Shae, Kim, Lulu, Fredia, Chelle, Jennifer, her nurses and staff at Cannon Hospice, Dr. Allen, Dr. Mishra, and Dr. Matherne

Services will be held Monday June 28th, 2021 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi, Visitation from 10:30AM to 12 Noon, a Mass of Christian burial to follow at noon. Burial will be at the New Delisle cemetery then a reception at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach following.

The family would like to thank Riemann Family Funeral Home for their care and assistance.