Gentry C. Thetford

Gentry C. Thetford, 83, formerly of Washington, Ill., passed away on Friday, February 8, 2013, at Snyder Village Health Center in Metamora. Born on June 26, 1929, in Bradford, Tennessee, to the late Simon Vernie Thetford and Vera Mai Thetford, he married Betty Joyce “BJ” Harder on March 18, 1951. Surviving are his wife Betty “BJ”, of Metamora, Ill., one son, Donn Thetford of Altamont, Ill., two daughters, Sheri (Robert) Perkins of Southlake, Texas, and Gale Thetford of Peoria, Ill. Also surviving are his five dearly loved grandsons, Nathan Tonnies of Chicago, Ill., Derek Thetford of Kewanee, Ill., Robert (Taylor) Perkins of Southlake, Texas, Stuart Schmadeke of New York City, New York, and Aaron Perkins of Southlake, Texas. Gentry graduated from Woodruff High School in 1947, beginning his professional career at Couch & Heyle where he worked for 39 years, serving the majority of that time as the company’s Purchasing Agent until the company’s closure in 1986. He ended his career with MRS Industrial, retiring in 1995. He served for eight (8) years in the Naval Reserves during the Korean War and was a member of the East Peoria Hilton Masonic Lodge. He was the classic “Good Neighbor” and was actually bestowed that honor by the Washington Courier some years ago. An avid outdoorsman and animal lover, Gentry loved his fishing trips to Canada and his squirrel, rabbit, pheasant, waterfowl, deer, and turkey hunting excursions with his family and friends. He was a devoted member of Wilmor Sportsman’s Club which at one time was affiliated with the Central Illinois Beagle Club where he enjoyed breeding champion beagles who won many awards at field trials throughout the Central Illinois region. He also loved to bowl for which he received many individual as well as team awards. He was a frequent visitor to the “boys’ swamp” where he was much loved and will be dearly missed and we are still sad that he has left us without ever sharing his priceless morel mushroom hunting spots. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals and particularly loved rubbing in their success to those members of our family who are die-hard Cub fans. He was loving, but most of all, fun-loving. His wink, his smile, his jokes – all of us will miss. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at First Christian Church in Peoria. The Rev. Bruce Dobyns and the Rev. Karen Merrick will officiate. Interment will take place in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria. Visitation will take place on Friday, February 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington with Masonic rites accorded at 6:45 p.m. Visitation will also be held at First Christian Church on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Gentry C. Thetford

June 26, 1929 - February 8, 2013