Sarah Joan Bentz of North Vernon, Indiana passed from this life on June 3, 2025 at the Covered Bridge Health Campus in Seymour, Indiana where she was cared for with great compassion and care. She was surrounded in her last days by her extensive family. She was 73 years of age. Sarah was born on August 18, 1951, the second of 5 children, to Edward Dale and Joan Marsh Bentz. She grew up in Vernon, Indiana and was devoted to her hometown and Jennings County. Her greatest love was family and the blessing of time enjoyed together.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Vernon. She attended Vernon Elementary School and North Vernon High School. She was part of the first graduating class of Jennings County High School, and she went on to receive her associate's degree from Vincennes University. She participated in band playing the flute and along with her brother, Jonathan, while still in 7th and 8th grades, they played with the Vernon High School band. That provided one of the reasons for her lifelong love of music. She grew up participating in church and school events as well as 4-H, accumulating multiple awards. She was a 30 year retiree from Cummins Engine Company. She was a member of North Vernon Assembly 84 of the Rainbow for Girls, where after her tenure she served on the Board and as Mother Advisor for several years, giving many young women opportunities to participate and travel across the United States to national events. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Chapter 253, where she served as Worthy Matron, multiple star points and dedicated herself to service. She was involved in the Young Democrats Organization and involved herself in national politics. She also served on the Jennings County Democratic Central Committee. She was an active member of the Vernon Clionian Club and a member of the Jennings County Historical Society. She was an advocate for all of these organizations. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society (she loved hats). She dearly loved her expansive family. Sarah is survived by brothers, Jonathan (Linda) Bentz, David (Becky) Bentz, sisters, Elizabeth (Larry) Williams, Judith Bentz-Miller, 8 nephews and nieces, including Tracy (David) Schildkecht, Christina (Joey) Bentz-Alcorn, Charlie (Amy) Bentz, Andrea (Jason) Edwards, Andrew (Lauren) Bentz, Ashley Blackman, Matthew (Leslie) Williams and Alex Miller as well as many great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, her nephew, Steven Williams and brother-in-law, William (Bill) Miller. The Order of the Eastern Star will conduct a service on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 10:20 a.m. Visitation will follow from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with funeral services at 12:30 p.m. at Sawyer Pickett Funeral & Cremation Services, 115 State St. North Vernon, Indiana 47265. Pastor Donald Hadley will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to the Jennings County Community Foundation - Joan Bentz Scholarship Fund.