Rodney Ray Gentle, 70, of Rushville died at 11:05 p.m. March 11, 2010, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital.Rodney Ray Gentle, 70, of Rushville died at 11:05 p.m. March 11, 2010, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital.
He was born May 21, 1939, in Farmington Township, Fulton County, the son of Glen Ray and Marjorie Summers Gentle.
Surviving are his long time companion Sandy Armstrong of Rushville; one daughter, Tanya (and Jeff) Clark of Colchester; two stepchildren, Donna (and Don) Wilkerson of Hersman and Donald Claassen of Burnside; three grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Dean Gentle; and two step-grandchildren, Lance and Levi Claassen.
He graduated from Lewistown High School in 1957 and operated Rushville Auto Parts for many years.
He worked for 20 years at Cargill in Beardstown, starting in maintenance and later in Quality Assurance until retiring in 2007.
He was a member of Rushville Fire Department for 25 years where he served as assistant chief from 1977 to 1979. He retired from the department in 1994; Schuy-Rush Park Board for many years; Beardstown Elks Lodge #1007; and Rushville Moose Lodge #506.
After retiring, he delivered cars for Eyler Auto Center and helped Gayleen Melvin with Royal Regal Apartments.
Visitation services were held Tuesday at Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville.
Memorials may be made to Rushville Fire Department or Schuy-Rush Park.
Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.