William Robert Gentner's Obituary
William Robert “Bill” Gentner, 89, of the Irish Hills, MI, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Henry Ford Hospice Home in Jackson, surrounded by his loving family. His family and friends will gather from 3PM until 8PM on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Eineder Funeral Homes – Brooklyn Chapel (137 S. Main St.). Bill’s Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 12PM, with visitation beginning at 11AM at St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church (8743 US-12, Brooklyn), interment to immediately follow at St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Cemetery. Fr. Satheesh Alphonse, SDC, will serve as celebrant.
Bill was born on April 22, 1937, to Herbert and Dorothy (Willis) Gentner in Detroit, MI. When Bill was just 6 months old, his family moved to the Irish Hills area. As he grew up, he planted his roots deep and never left his beloved Cambridge Township or the South Shore of Wamplers Lake, except to spend the winter months in Ft Myers, FL. He is a proud 1955 graduate of Onsted High School. Bill married his loving wife, Marjorie (Marge) Hoffman, on February 27, 1960, at St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church. Together, they raised their beautiful family and began a lifetime committed to service in the Irish Hills and the surrounding areas.
Bill owned and operated Gentner Trucking for 55 years and was also an owner of CTE Sand & Gravel. He believed in giving back to his community through his civic work, public service, humanitarian assistance, or using his business experience and leadership skills to help in any way he could. Bill is known most notably for being the Irish Hills Fire Chief & and a proud member of the Fire Dept for 35 years; serving on the Cambridge Township Board of Trustees & acting as Township Supervisor for 36 years collectively; serving on the 911 Board; being a lifetime parishioner of St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church where he served as an altar boy in his youth and Eucharistic Minister as an adult. He was a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus Council 6223, a member of the Elks Lodge-Adrian, MI, and a lifetime member of the Michigan Fire Association. He was named an Honorary Sheriff of the Michigan Sheriffs Association and named Citizen of the Year by Kiwanis International.
Bill enjoyed watching sports, whether it was NASCAR races at Michigan International Speedway, Notre Dame and Michigan Football, and Michigan State Basketball. He also loved spending time with family and friends at his beloved South Shore, riding snowmobiles through the beautiful Irish Hills, or driving his boat around Wamplers Lake.
Bill will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 66 years, Marge; his children, Robert (Denise) Gentner, Angela (Jim) Szewczul, David (Sara) Gentner, Tim (Melissa) Gentner; his grandchildren, Rachelle (Nick) Bell, Kaitlyn (fiancé, Grant Neblo) Gentner, David (Page) Gentner II, Ryan Gentner, Cassie (Drew) Andonian, Alysha Szewczul, Derick Gentner, Emily (Alex) Henning, Jessie Szewczul, Joshua Szewczul; his great-grandchildren, Audie, Barrett, Rilee, Ava, Alyvea, Tayte, Amelia, Forest, Jasper, Dakota, Greyson, Hera; his sister, Mary (Richard) Collom, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Lucy.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Norman Gentner and Joseph Gentner.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Henry Ford Hospice Home in Jackson, the Cambridge Twp. Fire Department or Police Department. Please leave a message of comfort for Bill’s family or sign his guest book at https://www.EinederFuneralHomes.com.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?
