M. Loraine Gentry

RICHMOND, Ind. - M. Loraine Gentry's heroic battle with Parkinson's disease began almost 20 years ago. However, it was her fight with cancer that carried her from this world on October 8, 2008. She was 69. Loraine was born in 1939 in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, and spent the greatest part of her life in Richmond, Ind. She also briefly lived at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, where her husband Col. Al Gentry deployed US troops to Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Directly from the Richmond High School graduating class of 1957, she worked for Insurance Company of North America while concentrating her personal time on raising her family. She also briefly attended Indiana University East and was a tutor for disabled children. Loraine's immediate family includes her husband of 47 years, retired U.S. Army Colonel Al C. Gentry; sons, Albert C. Gentry II of Brownsburg, Ind., Alan Christopher Gentry of Fishers, Ind., Andrew C. Gentry of Paris, France; and daughter, Mary Lizabeth Gentry-Adams of Hagerstown, Ind. Loraine's grandchildren include Nathan Gentry, Zachary Gentry, Kelsey Gentry and Alexander Adams. Loraine is also survived by her mother, Eliza Kidwell, age 95 of Richmond; and three sisters, Minnie Bernice Weiss, age 79 of Dayton, Ohio, Glena Tewell of Connersville, Ind., and Wilma Lavonne Tegler Smith of Richmond; aunts; nieces; nephews and her close friends Phil and Janice Beam of Richmond. Her father, Roscoe Kidwell, and her brother, Kurtis Kidwell of Las Cruces, NM, are deceased. Along with her family, Loraine's plethora of activities included gardening, crossword puzzles, board-games, card games and extensive traveling with her husband. Visiting innumerable locations such as Europe, U.S. historical sites, the East and West coasts, the Dakotas and the Black Hills, Loraine and Al traveled simply because they wanted to explore the world together! Loraine's children grew up with her curiosity, enthusiasm and perseverance as she strived to provide them with everything she may not have had when a child herself. Not wasting any time, she taught them early to walk, tie their shoes, read and count, swim, ride bicycles and later, and more importantly, to cultivate their independence. Her life with her husband is a tribute to the enduring love and compassion that bonded them. Her devoted husband, Al Gentry, was by her side for almost 20 years of difficult and often terrifying days of illness and indescribable suffering. Yet, Loraine always greeted him with a vibrant ''I love you'' when he walked through the door or into a room. Together they saw humor in even the most traumatic situations, often brightening a conversation with their contagious laughter. Her life proves the power of joy over sadness. Visitation for Loraine (Kidwell) Gentry is welcome from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, October 12, 2008, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road W., Richmond. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, October 13, 2008, at Doan & Mills with Phil Beam and Bishop Craig Davis officiating. Burial will be in Locust Grove Cemetery, Henry County, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the Loraine Gentry Memorial Fund at Wayne Federal Teacher's Credit Union 3010 West Main St., Richmond, IN 47374 Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

M. Loraine Gentry

March 21, 1939 - October 8, 2008