Terri Rentfro

Terri Lynn (Gatchel) Rentfro, age 62, of Marion, Illinois passed away Friday, May 29, 2020 at 5:38 a.m. in her residence.

 Terri was born in Ashland, Kentucky to James “Jim” Gatchel and Sue (Moshenek) Gatchel on December 20, 1957.  She and her family later moved to the Southern Illinois area.

Terri graduated from Crab Orchard High School in Crab Orchard, IL in 1975 and earned her associate’s in applied science degree in secretarial studies from John A. Logan College in 1977. She also earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Terri married her husband, Frank L. Rentfro on August 13, 1977 and together they shared 42 years of marriage. She was an avid adventurer and has traveled within the United States as well as other countries around the world, both for leisure and work-related activities. She also loved entertaining guests as well as spending time with her many friends and relatives.

Terri was a dedicated wife and mother, and an educator. She taught computer information systems at John A. Logan College for 33 years until her retirement in 2016.  

Terri was preceded in death by her father, James “Jim” Gatchel; her aunt, Judy (Moshenek) Miller; her maternal grandparents, Tom and Virginia Moshenek; and her paternal grandparents, Joseph and Camelia Mae Gatchel.

Terri is survived by her mother, Sue E. (Moshenek) Gatchel of Marion; her husband, Frank L. Rentfro of Marion; her daughter and son-in-law, Bethany N. (Rentfro) Heyde and Collin J. Heyde of Marion; her brother, Tom Gatchel of Dayton, Ohio; her aunt and uncle, William Dudley Schleier and Betty Jo (Gatchel) Schleier of Charleston, South Carolina; as well as many other aunts, uncles, and cousins in various locations.

DUE TO HEALTH CONCERNS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS AND TO THE SIGNING OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER BY GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER, a private graveside service will be held at Oddfellow’s Cemetery in Marion.

Terri’s wishes were to be cremated and the family plans to hold a memorial service in the future to celebrate Terri’s life. Blue Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, Terri’s family is asking for monetary donations to the American Cancer Society and they will be accepted at the funeral home.