With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kyle James Bentley, our beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend from a sudden cardiac event.

Born May 14, 1987 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Darrell and Shelli Bentley, Kyle always lived life to the fullest. After graduating from Prairie High School in 2005, he began a career in machinery and welding. He married Janelle Sophia Vifian on August 12, 2017 and together they shared countless memories.

Kyle was a big guy with an even bigger heart; you couldn’t help but love him. He was someone who would always bring the fun and his big laugh filled any room. He enjoyed riding his Harley with Janelle and hanging out in his man cave with his best friends (of which there were many). Gaming online was part of his daily routine, and spicy foods and home-smoked BBQ were often on his menu. Kyle was always up for a good time, and wasn’t ever afraid to live life on the wild side.

Family and friends were so important to Kyle, whether by blood or by bond, he would do anything for anyone he loved. He cherished his nieces and goddaughters, Tenley (15) and Lauryn (11). They always knew they could text Uncle Kyle or send him a Snap. He had a way of making them feel so special. The same is true for his nephew Massiah (22 mo.) and niece Madeline (4 mo.). Being a big kid himself, Kyle was a favorite buddy to all his friends’ children.

Kyle’s tough exterior was just a façade; he was a tender and caring person through and through. He was especially drawn to animals. To say Kyle adored his cats Chloe and Murray and puppy Cooper would be an understatement. They were his pride and joy, and it’s safe to say their love for him was just as full.

No matter if you knew him as Kyle, KyKy, Big Country, or Howie, one thing remains the same, he will always be remembered as a kind soul with a pure heart who lived an authentic and full life.

Kyle is survived by his wife Janelle Bentley; parents Darrell and Shelli Bentley; sister Sarah (Andy) Eicher; nieces Tenley and Lauryn Eicher; grandparents-in-law David and Patricia Shultz; sisters-in-law Marissa (Ryan) Steig, Lydia (Israel) Juarez; nephew Massiah Juarez, niece Madeline Steig; and and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Herschel and Dorothy Freshour, Ted and Mary Bentley; and father-in-law Steven Vifian.

We invite all Kyle’s family and friends to join us for a prayer service followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:30 pm on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Brosh Chapel & Avacentre, 2121 Bowling Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa where we can share a story, shed a tear, laugh together, and in true Kyle fashion, raise a glass to our gentle giant.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the family or Safe Haven of Iowa County, P.O. Box 444, Williamsburg, IA 52361.

A private inurnment will be held by the family at a later date.