Lyle Dean Gentry, age 92 of Lowell passed away Saturday, March 31. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Mae Gentry, his sister Verna Ferris, and his brother Don Gentry. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 68 years, Ethel Gentry, brother Robert Gentry, sons Douglas D. (Waverly) and David G. (Guenn), daughter Debby L. Gentry, seven grandchildren Austin (Kristi), Chelsea (Max) Garter, Jamin, Jeshua, Josiah (Hannah), Maddy and Forrest, and three great-grandchildren, Kitri, Lyric & Miles. He loved his family very much. Lyle enlisted in the Navy in 1943, serving in WWII for two years. He and his two brothers, Don & Bob fought valiantly for their country. Don was killed in the Battle of the Bulge and Bob fought in the Pacific. All were true Patriots. He grew up on the family farm and played baseball in his younger days, and later had a career working for Standard Oil / Amoco / BP Oil Co. He was a hard-working man who also loved to fish, golf, bowl, and play cards. His other hobbies included woodworking, furniture upholstering and was really a Jack of all trades. He loved flower gardening and bird-watching. He was always there to lend a helping hand and / or offer great advice, or tell one of his fabulous jokes. And, he loved to make new friends. He was one of the friendliest guys around! Everyone who met him, loved him. Funeral services will be held in Illinois where he was born and where they lived from 1961-2009 before moving to Michigan nine years ago. A local memorial service will be held on Friday, April 27, from 7:00-8-00 p.m. at Puritan Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, with light refreshments following from 8:00-9:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Honor Flight of MI or Honor Flight Chicago; The Wounded Warrior Project; or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
