Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, September 20, 2026 at Gibson – Bode Funeral Home, Erie. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Erie United Methodist Church, Erie. Burial will be in the Erie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Erie United Methodist Church or the Erie Ambulance.
Kent was born July 6, 1940, in Sterling, IL, the son of Alney and Mildred (Mulcay) Hargrave. He graduated from Erie High School in 1958 where he excelled in sports, especially track. Kent married his high school sweetheart, Geraldine “Jerri” Doubler on April 1, 1961, at the First Lutheran Church in Prophetstown. He worked for Erie Foods Inc. where he retired as a Senior Account Manager.
Kent was a lifelong member of the Erie United Methodist Church where he held many leadership positions. He was active in the community, serving on the Village Board for a number of years and in the Erie Rotary Club where he attained the distinction of Paul Harris Fellow. He also was a leader of the Newton Hurricane Hustlers 4-H Club.
He had a deep faith and he enjoyed nurturing it through weekly bible study. He was a devoted husband and father. He loved going to his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events both near and far. Kent found enjoyment and took great pride in keeping up a beautiful lawn and flower beds.
Kent and Jerri loved to travel, visiting all 50 states. Their favorite vacation was taking their family to Minocqua, WI, every August, a tradition that began when he and Jerri were dating. They also were able to spend winters at Fiesta Village in Mission, TX, for 21 years. In more recent years he looked forward to daily coffee at the Corner Café with the guys.
He is survived by his wife, Jerri; daughters, Kristine (Dan) Puent, Eureka, IL, Julie (Joe) Jones, Erie; grandchildren, Nathaniel Puent, Natalie (Tyler) Voss, Hayley (Nate) Inman, Mya Jones, Aylah Jones; and great grandchildren, Matthew, Lane, Lee, Amelia, Ellie and a great grandson expected in October. He was preceded in death by his parents; twin sons, Steve and Scott Hargrave; and sister, Gloria Hargrave.
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