Earl R. ‘Dick’ Gentzel Sr.

Earl R. ‘Dick’ Gentzel, Sr., 90, of Milroy, passed away Friday afternoon, March 27, 2020, at the Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital. Born April 9, 1929, in Naginey, he was a son of the late Orrice C. and Rebecca Jane (Shirk) Gentzel. His wife, Dorothy A. (Fultz) Gentzel preceded him in death on March 16, 2011. Surviving are: children, Earl R. Gentzel, Jr. of Somerset, Lucinda Close and husband Daniel K. of Milroy, David C. Gentzel and wife Susie of Yeagertown, Corlene Sue Zimmerman and husband Russell of Wisconsin; sister, Janet Heck and husband William of Mifflintown; 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Earl R. Gentzel, III on Feb. 28, 1994, and a daughter-in-law, Roxanna Gentzel on May 3, 2012. He had worked for Bethlehem Steel, Naginey quarry, before becoming a self-employed building contractor. Earl R. Gentzel & Sons built numerous homes and a community of 10 cottages in Milroy. He and Clair Barnett built a covered bridge at the foot of the Seven Mountains where the old American Legion building is located. Dick was a U.S. Army veteran and a 1947 graduate of Milroy High School. He attended Shrader United Methodist Church and was a lay speaker and treasurer earlier in life. He volunteered time and resources for the Milroy Ball Field, Milroy Fountain, and Milroy Senior Center. Earlier in life he served as a fireman and ambulance driver. Dick loved to read and be in church.