Joshua L. Bente

Joshua L. Bente, age 30, of Dover, died peacefully Sunday, October 19, 2008, in Mercy Medical Center at Canton following a courageous battle with cancer.Josh was born in Union Hospital on June 2, 1978, a son of Frances Gartrell Bente Wright of Dover and the late Lynn Bente.A 1996 graduate of Dover High School, Josh obtained an Associates Degree of Liberal Arts from Kent State University Tuscarawas Campus where he was an active participant of campus activities.Together with his father, Lynn, Josh took an active part in forming the family business, Buckeye Color and Chemical of Dover in 1990. Josh took on full-time responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer in 1999. Following Lynn’s passing, in 2003, Josh added another hat to his involvement by taking on many of the technical responsibilities that his father had shared with him throughout their years developing the business. Josh also enjoyed being an active member of the Society of Plastic Engineers.Josh found great joy in meeting the many customers who the family served and assisting them, whether by answering a technical question or ensuring the proper product for the customer’s specific needs. Josh was a fan of many sports including NASCAR, tennis and football. He also enjoyed genealogy and traveling. Having visited Europe twice and making numerous trips to Hawaii, Josh found great enjoyment in taking on the challenges of scuba diving and para-sailing. Additionally, Josh loved music and it really didn’t matter what genre. From blues bands, rock and roll, to country, Joshed enjoyed them all. He would rarely pass up the opportunity to attend a concert.Josh never asked a person to walk a mile in his shoes. Instead, only those closest to him knew of Josh’s indomitable will to lead a life with the challenges Spina Bifida presented. From his wheelchair, Josh became a true testament to adversity. Keeping his chin up, and with a smile on his face, Josh continually maintained a positive outlook. Gatherings of family and friends won’t be the same without Josh there to lend a quick-witted comment or to share a story. Josh will be sadly missed by the community of friends and colleagues who will dearly miss his intellect, wit, and smile that touched many, many people.Josh will be missed by his mother and step-father Francie and Jeff Wright of Dover, his brother, Joel Bente of Berlin, Germany; maternal grandparents, Tom and Leah Gartrell of New Philadelphia and step-grandparents, Leo and Betty Lanaghan of Steubenville.Aunts and uncles Larry (Marylou) Bente, Randy Bente, Susan (Gordon) Konsker, Tom (Pam) Gartell and Tom (Marlene) Daniels as well as numerous cousins and close friends complete the family.Josh will also be missed by a very special friend and loving family pet, Brina the German Shepherd.In addition to his father, Josh was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Francis and Madge Bente.The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 23, 2008, from 5 â?? 8PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A celebration of Josh’s Life will be led by Pastor Allen L. Bergman in the First Moravian Church at Dover, at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 24, 2008. Immediately following the service, the family would like to invite guests to join them for a time of food and fellowship in the church social hall. A private family burial in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia is planned.The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Rainbow Connection of Tuscarawas County, 123 South Wooster Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.