Dean Edwin

Gentel

Dean Gentel, 75, passed away on November 6, 2026. Born April 29, 1951, to Ellsworth and Alice Gentel, Dean grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He lived a life defined by curiosity, creativity, independence, and a love of learning how things worked.

From an early age, Dean was always chasing the next adventure. As a teenager, he built a canoe from scratch to explore the Susquehanna River, and over the years his projects ranged from homemade go-carts to rebuilding motorcycles. When something captured Dean’s interest, he was all in.

Dean was a talented distance runner, serving as captain of his high school cross-country and track teams and regularly running the mile in under five minutes. He graduated from Hope College in 1973 and went on to a varied career in electronics, business, teaching, and carpentry.

Dean had a remarkable breadth of knowledge and curiosity about the world around him. He had a particular fascination with reptiles, especially turtles, and loved maps, history, trains, electronics, motorcycles, snowmobiling, and building things with his hands. He also cared deeply about the Stony Lake and Benona Township communities, contributing his skills and craftsmanship to preserving local history and community spaces.

Some of Dean’s most memorable creations were made simply to bring joy to his family. He built one-of-a-kind things for his children and grandchildren, including a solid-wood replica of the Strawberry Shortcake Playhouse for his daughter and a giant wooden monster for his grandchildren to ride and play with in the driveway.

Above all, Dean was happiest spending time with his children and grandchildren, whether visiting them in Atlanta or sharing the places he loved in West Michigan. He especially enjoyed experiencing the area through his granddaughters’ eyes, riding the dunes, visiting Silver Lake and Lewis’s Farm Market, and spending days together at the beach.

Dean is survived by his children, Lisi Hahnenberg (Levi) and Geoff Gentel; his beloved granddaughters, Izzy and Isla Hahnenberg; his siblings, Gary Gentel (Mari), Jim Gentel (Dianne), Dayle Albert, and John Gentel; as well as extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellsworth and Alice Gentel.

Dean spent his life learning, tinkering, building, restoring, exploring, and creating. His many interests all reflected the same qualities: an enduring curiosity, an independent spirit, and the satisfaction he found in making something work, making something last, or making something special for the people he loved.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com