Kenneth E. Gentner Sr

Kenneth E. Gentner Sr., age 92, passed away peacefully at his home in Osceola on Wednesday, December 7, 2016. Kenneth was born September 28, 1924 in Elmer, Missouri to the late Leonard and Norma (Bailey) Gentner. Kenneth served his country during WWII in the US Navy, where he was a Purple Heart recipient before being honorably discharged in 1945. On April 19, 1952, he married Virginia Standfield in Osceola, Indiana. She preceded him in death, passing away October 31, 1994. On May 25, 1996, Kenneth married Ann Marie Shank in Osceola, Indiana. She also preceded him in death, passing away August 30, 2015.

Surviving are his grandchildren Susann Jefferies of Osceola, Kenneth Gentner of Oklahoma, and James Gentner of Mishawaka. He is survived as well by 4 step-daughters; Mary Bellamy, Harriet Jean Wright, Joyce Kuehl, and Nila Rowland. Surviving as well are 11 great grandchildren; Thomas Gentner, Ashley Taylor, Amanda Taylor, Zakary Taylor, Tristan Jefferies, Noah Jefferies, Aimee Jefferies, Ryan Gentner, Kyle Gentner, Brooke Gentner, and Rebecca Gentner, and 2 great-great-grandchildren Jaydon Bokis and Ethan Cartwright. His son Kenneth E. Gentner Jr. preceded him in death in November of 1999.

Visiation will be held from 5-8 pm Friday, December 9, 2016 at Zimmerman-Inman Funeral Home, 1109 Lincolnway West, Osceola, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, December 12, 2016 at the First General Baptist Church of Osceola, 11101 McKinley Highway, Osceola, Indiana with Pastor John Larson presiding. Interment and military honors will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Kenneth was employed for many years at the Studebaker Corporation in South Bend, and also spent many hours working on his farm on Apple Road. In 1976, he sold his farm and enjoyed many years of retirement. In his spare time, Kenneth enjoyed gardening and bird watching, watching western movies, and attending Navy reunions. He also was a longtime member of the First General Baptist Church of Osceola, and loved attending gospel musicals. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his beloved family.