Phillip J. Gentz, 93, of Pleasant Prairie, WI, passed away on Monday, February 19, 2018, at his home. Phil was born in Forest County, WI, to the late Frank and Cora Gentz, the fifth of eight children. He attended Wabeno High School and played on the school basketball team. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II in 1942 and chose air corps mechanic as his specialty and served as an aircraft mechanic. He also drove heavy trucks in blackout conditions in combat and was awarded a Bronze Battle Star. He belonged to the 499th Air Service Squadron and 305th Air Service Group in the CBI (China-Burma-India Theatre). He shipped overseas across the Atlantic and Mediterranean to North Africa, through the Suez Canal to India to an air base near Calcutta until the war ended. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Returning to Wisconsin, he worked as a skilled auto mechanic for Nash Motors in Kenosha but made frequent trips to his family homestead “up north.” There he met and married his wife of 70 years, Irene. They settled in Kenosha and later built their own house in Pleasant Prairie where they raised their four children in whom he instilled a great love of nature and the outdoors. After 30 years he retired from American Motors and pursued his many favorite interests for the next 40 years, right up to the time of his recent illness. He was an avid outdoorsman, hiker, gardener, beekeeper and expert fly fisherman. He had many good dogs throughout his life, none more faithful companions than his current “Sadie” who misses him dearly. He loved to read the newspapers and National Geographic. He traveled most of the United States with his wife, many states by road trips, visiting family in California and attending Air Corps reunions. He could change a flat tire in his sleep. College basketball and baseball were his favorite sports programs. He was a strong and vibrant man who loved life and nature. He is survived by his wife, Irene; children, Colleen Vernon, David Gentz and Patricia (Chuck) Aker, all of Kenosha, and Nancy (Mike) Wood of California; three grandchildren, Zachary Wood, Jennifer Neeley, and Korie Rumph; and seven great-grandchildren, Bridgette, Natalie, Sophia, Zane, Sawyer, Ellsa, and Avah. He is further survived by three siblings, Karl, Jane, and Mary. He was preceded in death by four siblings, Bob, Fred, David, and Jean. Phillip’s family would like to thank the Kenosha Visiting Nurses and Hospice Alliance for their caring assistance these past few weeks. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 24th, at Proko Funeral Home from 12:00 noon until 2:30 p.m. The visitation will conclude with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, please direct any donations to a favorite conservation effort, youth program, or veteran’s organization in Phillip’s memory. Proko Funeral Home & Crematory 5111-60th Street Kenosha, WI 53144 Phone: (262) 654-3533 Visit & Sign Phillip’s Online Memorial Book at: www.prokofuneralhome.com