Cody Leland Gentry, of Monticello, Ill., died March 19 at home. He was 61.

Survivors include his wife, Karen; six sisters, Melinda O’brero, Jody Davis (Grant), Joanna Sensabaugh (Roger), Lora Suter (Don), Stacy Kelly and Shonna Smith (Edward); one brother, Andrew (Ashley); 11 nieces and five nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew.

Cody was born Dec. 10, 1963, in Mattoon, Ill., to George Leland Gentry and Coral Lorraine Denton Gentry. He married Karen Livingston on May 22, 1983, in Lodge, Ill.

He graduated from Cerro Gordo High School in 1982.

Trained by his father, Cody was self-employed as a carpenter throughout his life. He was a farmhand at Ken Hermann Farms before joining the Public Works Department for the City of Monticello in 2008. He retired in 2024.

Cody never met a mechanical challenge he couldn’t master, from countless vehicle improvements to building an in-ground swimming pool in his backyard to developing a chicken plucker for his broilers.

A man of deep faith, Cody volunteered for many years at the Lodge Church of God with children of all ages. He loved to sing and was an excellent Bible teacher. Cody and Karen were also part of a small group called New Covenant Fellowship in Monticello.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the Monticello Community Building, 201 N. State St., Monticello.

Memorials may be made to Carle Hospice, 4116 Fieldstone Road, Champaign, Ill. 61822, or Faith in Action, 1115 N. State St., Monticello, Ill. 61856.