Herschel Alvis Gentry

Herschel Alvis Gentry, 88, of Monroe, passed away on April 11, 2022.  He was born to the late Herschel Ace Gentry and Jean Littleton Gentry on December 31, 1933, in Monroe, LA.  Herschel graduated from Ouachita Parish High School in Monroe and received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Northeast Louisiana University where he was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Society and the Kappa Alpha Order. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Barbara Elliott Gentry, and his sister, Jean Huenefeld.

Herschel is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lillian Riser Gentry; children, Stewart Gentry (Wendy) and Diana Breen (Mike); step children:  Ramona Martin, Deanna Riser, Neil Riser (Vicki) and Melissa Riser; siblings, Sylvia Wilkins (Charlie) and brother-in-law, Fred Huenefeld; grandchildren: John Gentry, Mary Elizabeth Gentry, Connor Breen, Lauren Breen, AnneMarie Collura (Stephen), Emilie Moseley (Phillip), Allison Blanchard (Joe), Zachary Phillips (Darren), and Justin Phillips; great-grandsons: Hartwell Moseley and Martin Collura; nieces and nephews: Becky Harrod (Chet), Rachel Huenefeld, Frederick Huenefeld (Tonya), Ashley Wilhite, and Sylvia Sharplin (Dan); cousins, Janelle Gentry Rose and Kim Gentry Williams (Dolph).

Herschel was the owner of New York Hardware & Furniture for over 60 years.  Herschel lived his life as a gentleman, always putting others first.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Monroe for over sixty years serving as treasurer for over forty of those years and was a member of the Aldersgate Sunday School Class.  He was a member of the Monroe Rotary Club where he served as President and was a Paul Harris Fellow; a member of the Bayou DeSiard Country Club, and the English Speaking Union.  Herschel proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserves for 18 years. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in Monroe with the Reverend Brian Mercer officiating. Graveside services will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Riser and Son Funeral Home, Columbia.  Pallbearers will be: John Gentry, Connor Breen, John Haste, Kelly Hubenthal, Frank Spooner, Hugh McDonald, Zachary Phillips, and J. J. Dixon.  Honorary pallbearers will be members of Aldersgate Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church and members of the Buffalo River Sports Canoeing Group.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Two Penny Missions for the Homeless, P. O. Box 699, West Monroe, LA  71294.

Visitation will be held in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Monroe on Thursday, from 9:30 am until 11:00 am when the service begins.