Lonnie Lee Lentz

Lonnie Lee Lentz, 67, Nevada, died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, Nevada, following a short illness. He was born Sept. 3, 1938, in Nevada, to Leland Lentz and Alberta Lee Diddle Lentz. He married Rita Gayle Ephland on May 7, 1983, in Bronaugh, Mo., who survives of the home.

Lonnie was born and raised in Nevada and moved to Northern Missouri during his sophomore year in high school. He graduated from Newtown, Mo., high school in 1956. Lonnie was a member of the Church of Christ in Nevada, a long-time member of the Firefighters Association of Missouri, a current member of the Nevada Planning Commission and a member of the Compton Junction Fire Department. Lonnie was a 37-- year veteran of the Nevada Fire Department and was fire chief for seven years until his retirement in 1993.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Rita, include three daughters; Teri Lee Cezar, Fort Scott, Kan., Traci Lynn Longstreth, Walker, Mo., and Tammy Smith, Payette, Idaho, and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, at the First Baptist Church, Nevada, with Bill Visalli and Kenny Hoover officiating. Committal services will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call now and until services, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, 12 p.m. on Thursday.

Those who wish may contribute to the Fire Fighters Memorial and Museum Foundation in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com