Gene H. Jentink, 86, passed away at his home in Cedar Grove on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 with his wife Linda by his side.
Gene was born March 29, 1939 in Sheboygan, the son of Trester and Jeanette (Esselink) Jentink. He worked at Giltedge Foundry in Cedar Grove as a teen, and graduated as salutatorian of Cedar Grove High School in 1957. He went on to study engineering at UW Wisconsin – Madison and later Calvin College in Michigan. He later served his country in the United States Army as a military police officer.
For over 20 years, Gene worked at Polar Ware in Sheboygan. Previously he had worked at Pressed Steel Tank in West Allis. While there, he volunteered as a mentor through Wisconsin Junior Achievement.
On September 16, 1967, Gene was united in marriage with Linda Bicher at his home in Cedar Grove. Their 57+ years of marriage was filled with laughter and many memories.
Appointed as a trustee by the Cedar Grove Board in 1996, Gene was later elected the Village President of Cedar Grove from 2003-2011. From 2012-2018, he volunteered with the elections.
Gene was a member of Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Cedar Grove, where he served as an Elder and youth group leader. He had formerly been a member, Elder and youth group leader at Falls OPC in Menomonee Falls. He was a member of the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82, and a former member of the Cedar Grove American Legion.
An avid gardener, Gene took great pride in all he grew and kept a meticulous garden wherever he lived. He enjoyed watching football and baseball, and playing in different golf and bowling leagues. Together with Linda, the couple loved bird watching, visiting the family cabin in Pickerel where they looked forward to fishing together, and traveling internationally and across all 50 states.
Gene is survived by his wife Linda, sister Janice (Robert) Blankenship, brother-in-law John Bichler Jr, sisters-in-law Bonnie Solonika, Mary Gwen (Mark) Lemke and Debbie (Tom) Eischen, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00PM on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Calvary OPC in Cedar Grove. All are welcome to view a livestream of the service on Gene’s obituary at www.wenigfh.com . The family will receive visitors at the church on Tuesday from 11:00AM-1:00PM. He will be laid to rest at Presbyterian Cemetery in Cedar Grove.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Calvary OPC or Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82.
Linda would like to thank Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice and her family for their compassionate care and support.
Wenig Funeral Home – Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the family. Please visit www.wenigfh.com for online condolences.
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