Mildred Gentry (100) of Neoga

Mildred Gentry, 100, of Neoga died at 11:25am Monday, August 21, 2017 at her residence.

Funeral Services will be held at  6:00 P.M. Friday, August 25 in the Swengel-O'Dell Funeral Home of Neoga with the Rev. Richard Coen officiating assisted by Chuck Bartlett, both of Neoga, IL. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 P.M. Friday until service time at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Neoga Memorial Cemetery, Neoga, IL. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Neoga, IL. 

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She was born January 9, 1917, in Cumberland County, Illinois, the daughter of Robert Bloomfield "Boomer" and Ova (Richardson) Oakley. Mildred walked to school and graduated from Toledo High School in 1934. She married Wm. Elmer Gentry, September 26, 1936, in East Alton, Illinois. They did almost everything together until Mr. Gentry passed away on May 23, 1996. She and her husband Elmer owned and operated Gentry's Broomcorn Works for 50 years in Neoga, except for two years during WWII when Elmer was in Germany. She was a Broom Stitcher, house wife, tended to her flower and vegetable gardens and was a happy person who always had time for everyone. Mildred and Elmer's grandkids stayed all night with them every Saturday night. She attended the First Christian Church and was a past President and  a member for over fifty years of the Neoga American Legion Auxiliary, both of Neoga. She was also a member of the V.F.W.  Auxiliary and the Eagles Club, both of Mattoon, IL.

Mildred leaves one daughter-in-law, Francine Gentry of Neoga, IL; three grandchildren, Julie Williamson (Brett) of rural Neoga, Amy Gerges (Anwar) of El Paso, TX and Wm. Ross Gentry and special friend April Walk of rural Neoga, IL; nine great grandchildren, Bart Williamson (Misty) of rural Shelbyville, IL; Ted Williamson of rural Findlay, IL; Solomon Gerges of San Antonio, TX; Wm. Abraham and Isaac Gerges of El Paso, TX; Grace Gerges of Denver, CO; Lydia, Piper and Wm. Josiah Gentry of rural Neoga; two great-great grandchildren, Braxton and Braelin Williamson of rural Shelbyville.

Mrs. Gentry was preceded in death by her parents, Husband, Elmer Gentry, one son, Wm. Jack "Bill" Gentry, one brother and one sister.