BYRON – Georgia Marie Gentz, 75, of Byron, IL passed away peacefully in her sleep on Dec 5, 2018 after a short illness. Born Sep. 29, 1943 in Echo, Minn., to Robert and Eloise “Jackie” Burke eventually moving to Rockford, where she spent most of her childhood years, graduating from Auburn High School in 1962.
She married Robert Gentz on Dec. 21, 1966 in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and later relocated to rural Leaf River in 1970 where they raised their three sons. After retiring from AT&T as a telephone operator in the mid 90’s, she and Bob retired in the Byron area and split time as snowbirds in Clearwater, Fla., where they enjoyed going to estate sales, visiting local beaches and sites, and spending time with their dog Nicki until Bob’s death in 2017. Georgia was an avid reader who enjoyed sitting by a pool or beach reading, listening to the St Louis Cardinals on the radio, and spending time visiting with her friends from AT&T, the beauty shop and mutual longtime friends of her and Bob’s.
Georgia is proceeded in death by her husband Bob, brother Mike and both parents.
She is survived by her three sons – Scott (Sarah), Todd (Amy) and Troy (Carrie), 8 grandchildren – Kayla, Nate, Emily, Eli, Ruby, Madison, Sam and Hannah, her sister Peggy Shelton (Alvis), Bob’s sister Connie Blackert (Larry), and her cousin Kim Asher.
The family would like to thank all the staff, nurses and doctors from Van Matre and Byron Generation Nursing Home that took special care of our Mom.
Visitation for family and friends was held from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 pm Friday, Dec. 14 , 2018 with a memorial service and lunch to follow at Cornerstone Family Church at 205 N Peru St, Byron, IL, 61010.
