Stana Jo Peloza Bentz (July 5, 1946-January 12, 2026), was born in St Louis, Missouri to Stanley Peloza (USMC) and LaRita Inez Russell as an only child. Jody (as all knew her) moved often as a child as her father rose in rank to Sergeant Major. His last posting was in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Jody went to high school. She earned her B.A. cum laud in Spanish at Marian University (1967). Jody received a Fulbright-Hayes scholarship for study in Madrid, Spain (1967-1968). She went on to earn an M.A. in Spanish from Indiana University (1970) and M.A. in Educational Administration from Purdue University (1974). Jody dedicated herself to health care at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Ascension Health St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, as Vice-President of Business Development. After retiring, Jody became Executive Vice President of the Indiana Health Forum and a private consultant.

In 1994, Jody married Frank Bentz until his passing on December 21, 2018. Jody always said that her greatest achievement was her son, Blake Alan Bowman, with whom she had a profound relationship. Blake died unexpectedly in 2021.

Jody is survived by her step-family, Debbie Gervais (Mark) and their children Rachel and Matthew, Craig Bentz (Kristine D. July, 17, 2022) and his children Cameron and Corbin, Denise Disney (Derrick), and their children Joshua, Jacob and Kali, and nine great-grandchildren. Along numerous extended family and friends in many states.

The family would like to thank her caregivers Aldeen, Sister Susan, Ilene and Martia for such loving care of Jody.

Flights of wings Jody, and sing thee to thy rest.

There will be a private family interment.

Jody established a fund for study abroad at Marian University, and a scholarship at the small college in Missouri where her mother studied. Jody was kind, generous, loving, and devoted to her family and friends.

For those wishing to honor Jody’s memory may contribute to the Richard Lugar Center for Global Studies at Marian University, and/or The Miracle Place, run by the Sisters of Providence (both in Indianapolis).