Retus Basil Gentry Obituary (1927

Retus Basil Gentry, age 95 of Kinmundy, passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at SSM St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia. Retus was born on January 27, 1927 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of Retus and Lora (Wilkinson) Gentry. He married Ellen (Stallons) Gentry on October 15, 1991 in Elizabethtown, IL and she survives in Kinmundy. Survivors include his wife, Ellen; six children, Gaylan Gentry, Shawn Gentry and wife Anna, Chelsie Gentry, Nathan Gentry, Christianna Snow and husband James, and Kelsie Gentry; four grandchildren; and a sister, Marcelline Ambuehl. He was preceded in death by his parent, sister, Imogene Williams and a brother in infancy. Retus served in WW2 in the United States Army, he was drafted April 1945 and served until November 1946. He then reenlisted in 1949 and continued his service through 1952. He also served in the Korean War until June 20, 1950. He received five bronze campaign stars. His military rank was PFC corporal, with his military qualification as para trooper. Retus worked on Interstate 57 from 1965-1968, and then worked for the post office from 1954-1959, then as a sub mail carrier and then a mail carrier from 1985-1987. He also worked most of his life as a farmer and oil producer. Even at the age of 95, he could be found out mowing the yard on his zero-turn mower. He loved telling childhood memories of working with a walking plow and a team of horses in the field, and sharing memories of his school days, while living through the great depression. He will be greatly missed by his wife and family. Funeral services for Retus Gentry will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem. Burial will follow at Phillips Cemetery in Kinmundy. There will be military rites at the cemetery by the Salem American Legion. There will be a visitation on Thursday evening at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the donor's choice and can be left at Crouse Funeral Home who is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.CrouseFH.com.