Donald William Gentry

Donald William Gentry, 69, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Monday, July 2, 2012, at Circle of Life Hospice-Legacy in Bentonville, Ark. He was born on Jan. 18, 1943, in St. Louis, Mo., to William H. Gentry and Roberta Elizabeth Bardelmeier Gentry. He attended and graduated from University of Illinois, University of Nevada and University of Arizona where he received his Ph.D. in mining and finance. He was a published author. He married Sheila Schuepbach on Aug. 21, 1965, in Highland, Ill. He was a member of SME (Society of Mining Eng.), AIME and National Academy of Engineering. He moved to Bella Vista in 2003 from Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Sheila of Bella Vista, Ark.; son, Chad Gentry of Dyersburg, Tenn.; daughter, Tara Gentry of McKinney, Texas; brother, Darrell Gentry of Bangor, Maine; and four granddaughters. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2012, at the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, 504 Memorial Drive, Bella Vista, Ark. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the SME Foundation or to the Circle of Life Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.