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Gerald Dee “Jerry” Dentler, age 67, of Three Rivers, died late Wednesday Feb. 9, 2011 at the Three Rivers Health Emergency Room. He was born in Three Rivers on Jan. 2, 1944 the son of Riley Dee and Bertha (Vanett) Dentler. He attended Three Rivers Elementary and Mendon High School. Jerry was married to Sandra Jansen on Sep. 19, 1964; they were later divorced. Jerry first worked at the Sturgis Foundry before going to work for Clifton Engineering where he worked as a welder from 1965 to 1990. He also had worked at the Cook Nuclear Power Plant in Bridgman. Jerry was a 41 year member of the Plumbers and Pipe-fitters Local 190. He enjoyed trips to the casinos and auctions sites, hunting and fishing, and spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Jerry was married to Charlene “Chris” Stephenson in Elkhart, IN on Nov. 24, 1990. She survives along with 6 children and their spouses, Sherrie (Fred) DeBoer of Three Rivers, Lori (Ralph) Chapman of Three Rivers, Kellie (Micah) Sosnowski of Mendon, Doug (Karen) Bates of Sturgis, Dan (Tami) Bates of Constantine, and Luke (Lindsey) Dentler of Three Rivers; 13 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; his step-mother, Lillian Dentler of Three Rivers; 9 siblings, Carol Roe of Centreville, June (Roger) Hammond of Anna, OH, Larry (Fern) Dentler of Sherwood, Doug (Patty) Dentler of Three Rivers, Hazel (Bob) Crosby of Jones, Jane (Roy) Manwell of Three Rivers, Mitzie (Jim) Wheeler of Three Rivers, Emily Little of Grand Rapids, and Roy (Maryann) Hunt of Newark, OH; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Shirley Miller and Becky Beeman; and by a brother, Riley Dentler, Jr.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday Feb. 14, 2011 at the funeral home with Pastor Kyle Foster of the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Parkville Cemetery. Memorials will be directed to the family. An online register is available at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com
