Winfred L. Gentry

Winfred LeRoy Gentry, 95, of Atkinson, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Hammond Henry Hospital – Long Term Care Unit.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Atkinson.  Reverend S. Stephen Engelbrecht will celebrate.  Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery, Atkinson.  A Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Vandemore Funeral Home – Atkinson Chapel, with a visitation immediately following, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Memorials may be directed to the Winfred L. Gentry Memorial Fund, of which the family will distribute amongst several local charities.

Winfred, born September 5, 1930, in Midland City, DeWitt County, Illinois, the son of Ralph and Ruth (DeWolfe) Gentry.  Winfred graduated from Atkinson High School in 1948. On July 19, 1951, he married Ruth DeRoo. They were married for over 68 years until her death on November 28, 2019. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. Winfred enjoyed wood carving, gardening, and fishing. Winfred will be remembered as a hardworking man devoted to his family and his faith.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Michael (Sharon) Gentry of Atkinson, Eugene (Kari) Gentry of Geneseo, Kenneth (Suzi) Gentry of Houston, TX, Kay (Mike) Croegaert of Geneseo, and Steve (Ray Forsythe) Gentry of Okatie, SC; grandchildren, Brent (Chris) Gentry, Jason (Andrea) Gentry, Katie (John) Gasper, Drew (Addie) Croegaert, Blake (Laurie) Croegaert, Emily Gentry, Ethan Gentry, Melissa (John) Darden, and Lonnie Smith; sixteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard Gentry, Roy Gentry, Keith Gentry, James Gentry; sister, Sheryl Gentry Lewsader; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Winfred was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Ruth Gentry; his loving wife, Ruth Gentry; sisters, Connie Gentry Edwards and Freeda Gentry; and brothers, Jack Gentry, Raymond Gentry, and Walter Gentry.