Robert A. Gentry

ST. JOSEPH – Robert A. Gentry, 75, of St. Joseph, died Aug. 3, 2006 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Aug. 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Benton Harbor. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 6 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with the Rosary recited at 7:30 P.M. Sunday. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Bob was born on April 6, 1931 in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of Ralph and Maxine (Gwaltney) Gentry. Much of his childhood and early adult life was spent in southern Indiana where he graduated from Fort Branch High School. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and a graduate of the University of Evansville. On Nov. 26, 1953 he married Jean (Emig) in Evansville, Ind. where they lived until 1970 when they moved to the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor area. Bob worked as an accountant for 30 years for Whirlpool Corporation and later owned Bangor Business Service before his retirement. Bob enjoyed lending a helping hand whenever he could and spent many years volunteering for the Catholic Jail Ministry for Berrien County, the Catholic Community Center and Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen. He was also a church usher and provided tax services and working appliances for the needy. Bob enjoyed sports and never missed a chance to play golf. He played daily when possible and even golfed a week before his death. He also got the chance to travel to places near and far with his wife for many years. Bob will be missed greatly by his family and friends who appreciated his steadying influence, his loyalty and love for family and his overall positive attitude. Mr. Gentry is survived by his wife and 14 children -Christopher (Julie), Cadillac, Mich.; Peter, St. Joseph; Karen, Comstock Park, Mich.; Stephen (Lisa) St. Joseph; Timothy (Brenda), Grand Rapids; Ann Dine, Comstock Park, Mich.; Paul, Guam; Daniel, Pottstown, Pa.; Jane (Mike) Lally, Ada, Mich.; Mary (Tom) Cole, Niles; Michael, St. Joseph; Sarah (Francisco) Rodriguez, New Jersey; Kevin (Michele), Huntley, Ill. and Monica (Dave) Norwood, Austin, Texas. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren as well as his brothers and sisters – Bud (Elma) Gentry, Lafayette, Ind.; Max Gentry, Fort Branch, Ind., Jane (Bill) Shackelford, Owensville, Ind.; Jill (David) Larsen, Princeton, Ind.; Judy (Wayne) Wilkerson, Brownsburg, Ind. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Maxine Gentry, granddaughter Emily Gentry, and sister Joy Wilhite, Princeton, Ind. Donations in Mr. Gentry’s name can be made to St. John’s/St. Bernard’s Parish or Lake Michigan Catholic Schools.