William C. Gentry
June 23, 1914-July 31, 1999
William Clayton Gentry, 85, of Stowe Court, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 1999, in Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center, South Bend, Ind.
He was born on June 23, 1914, in Coffee County, Tenn., to Claude and Nancy (Smith) Gentry and had lived in Niles since 1939, coming from Coffee County.
Mr. Gentry retired from Bendix Automotive, South Bend, in 1978 following 36 years of service.
He was a member of the Church of God, Niles and the U.A.W. Union Local #9, South Bend. He enjoyed going to sales and auctions of antiques, and had a special interest in collecting Hall china and Victorian marbletops.
On Aug. 11, 1936, in Morrison, Tenn., he was married to the former Evaline C. Holt, who survives. They celebrated there 60th anniversary of that marriage in 1996.
Other surviving family includes his daughters, Barbara Carter of Niles and Beverly Swanson of Belleville, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Josephine McLaughlin of Niles.
Mr. Gentry was preceded in death by his son, Clayton L. ''Bubby'' Gentry, who died on Feb. 16, 1996; and by eight brothers and sisters.
The family gathered privately for funeral services on Tuesday, Aug. 3, in Halbritter Funeral Home, with Elder John Rayburn of Granger, Ind., officiating. Committal services followed at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
Contributions in memory of William Clayton Gentry may be made to Wings of Eagles, 309 West Washington, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606-3200.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown