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Mattoon, IL-Peter Francis (Pete) Genta, age 91, of Mattoon, IL, passed away at 9:39 a.m., Monday, October 15, 2012, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Heath Center, Mattoon, IL.\r\n\r\nThe funeral service in his honor will begin at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 19, 2012, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 320 North 21st Street, Mattoon, IL. Reverend Dennis Kollross will officiate. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Mattoon, IL, with military rites conducted by the Mattoon VFW Post 4325. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, at the church, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Biblical wake will begin at 7:00 p.m. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL, 61938, is assisting the family with arrangements.\r\n\r\nBorn March 11, 1921, in Carlinville, IL, Peter was the son of Batista and Mary (Gambo) Genta. He married Patricia Shay on November 25, 1954 in Shelbyville, IL. She survives. Other survivors include five children, Michael Genta and wife Jayne of Mattoon, IL, Ramona Yuskanich and husband Michael of Springfield, IL, Tim Genta and wife Carole of Mattoon, IL, Maria Miller and husband Dan of Arcola, IL, and Teresa Logue and husband Michael of Gurnee, IL; ten grandchildren, Jason, Monica and Molly Genta, Alexandra and Nicholas Genta, Brock, Claire, and Clayton Shay Miller, and Michael P. and Maria Logue; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Commander John L. Genta. \r\n\r\nMr. Genta graduated from Carlinville High School in 1939. He served our country during World War II as a signalman in the United States Navy. He later earned his associates degree from Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL, where he also played basketball. He then attended Eastern Illinois University, where he earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees. He began his career in education with the Arcola school district as a science teacher and coach. He then spent ten years as a science teacher and coach for the Humboldt school district where he met the love of his life. The last twenty-five years of his career he served as Principal for the Bennett and Hawthorne schools in Mattoon. \r\n\r\nMr. Genta was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mattoon, IL. Other memberships included the Knights of Columbus, a lifetime membership with the American Legion of Mattoon, and the Mattoon Recreation Board, where he served as director for 30 years. \r\n\r\nFor sixteen years, Mr. Genta volunteered with the Mattoon High School and elementary girls' basketball. He was a volunteer coach for three seasons of the Jesse Owens Games sponsored by Anaconda. For over three decades, he served as an IHSA official for football, basketball, and track. He was a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan and an all-around sports enthusiast. An avid fisherman, he shared his experiences through a syndicated column titled 'Just Fishin' Around by Pete Genta.' He had a passion for Italian cooking and loved reading and writing poetry, playing his harmonica, and the return of the wrens.\r\n\r\nMemorials in his honor may be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, or the Mattoon High School Girls Basketball Scholarship in memory of Peter F. Genta, in care of the First National Bank, Mattoon, IL. \r\n\r\nPlease visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with his family. \r\n

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Peter Francis (Pete) Genta

March 11, 2021 - October 15, 2012