Melvin J. Gentner

Melvin J. Gentner, age 81 of Ruth, passed away Sunday, December 31, 2023. He was born on March 3, 1942 to the late Leland and Emma Gentner. Melvin and Carol Kanaski were united in marriage on November 7, 1964 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Dwight Township. Melvin graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul School in 1960, where he was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He worked at several small factories and farmed. In 1964 he opened his own business, Gentner Sales and Service, starting with snowmobiles, small engines and lawn equipment. He was a scout master, member of the Parish Township Board, Huron County Board of Appeals, was a lector, eucharistic minister and usher at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, was a driver for the Gemini Group for 20 years. He volunteered to deliver area donations to Sister Carol at St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center in Flint. He enjoyed polka music and dancing, playing euchre, going to tractor pulls, deer hunting, and deer camps. Melvin enjoyed going to toy tractor shows and collecting them. After he retired from farming he would ride around in his side-by-side/buggy and check on the crops and count deer. He had a thriving repair business; there wasn't anything he couldn't fix. He loved working on small engines. Melvin was an excellent problem solver. The family saying goes, "If you didn't learn anything from Papa, you weren't listening!" Melvin is survived by his wife Carol Gentner of Ruth, children: Colleen (Jose) Gonzalez, Steven (Elizabeth) Gentner, Kenneth (Gwen) Gentner, Ronald (Heather) Gentner, grandchildren: Joseph, Zachary, Andrew (Katie) Gonzalez, Shaun (Sarah) Morgan, Joshua (Maggie) Gentner, Rachel (Jeremy) Gusmano, Victoria (Clayton) Messing, Kendall (Hallie) Gentner, Katrina and Gretchyn Gentner, Heaven (John) Gravelyn, and Kyler Thomas, great grandchildren: Lance and Aowyn Morgan, Charlie and Henry Gravelyn, expected baby Messing and foster Margaret Morden, his sister, Marie Oswald, and brother Robert Gentner, sisters-in-law Jane Gentner, Joann (Charles) Bolda and Marjorie Clancy, and many nieces and nephews. Melvin was preceded in death by his brothers Duane and Charlie Gentner, brothers-in-law James Oswald and Carl Clancy. Funeral Mass for Melvin will be Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11 am at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, of the Holy Apostles Parish, with Fr. Robert Kelm officiating. Burial will take place in the spring at SSPP Church Cemetery. Visitation for Melvin will be on Friday, from 2-8 pm at the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach. A joint rosary service with The Knights of Columbus, Ushers Club, and The Daughters of Isabella, will take place Friday at 6 pm at the funeral home. A Parish Vigil Service will take place on Friday at 7 pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Holy Apostles Parish, or to St. Jude. Memories can be shared at www.RamseyFH.com

Melvin J. Gentner

March 3, 1942 - December 31, 2023