Pinnacle Funeral Service has acquired Gent Funeral Home & Cremation Services, a trusted name in the greater Alton, Illinois community for more than 90 years. The funeral home, which serves over 300 families a year, will keep its name and its current staff, so the families it serves can expect the same familiar, personal care they have always known.

Gent Funeral Home & Cremation Services was founded in 1935 by Ralph A. Gent. In 1970, his sons-in-law, Lester Bowles and Robert Scoggins, purchased the business. After Scoggins passed away in 1985, Lester and Joanne (Gent) Bowles became sole owners. Their son, Ralph Bowles, joined the firm in 1988 and later led it alongside his wife, Dawn. Three of Ralph's sisters, Lynn, Laura, and Louise, also served the family business over the years. With no one in the next generation looking to take over, the Bowles family set out to find the right partner to carry the business forward.

"It has been an honor to serve so many families over the years, and the bonds I've formed with them are what I'll miss most," said Ralph Bowles, former owner. "I wanted a partner who would treat our community like extended family and keep our entire staff. There was never any pressure to make a deal. They simply wanted the transition to be seamless and our family legacy to continue. I'm confident Pinnacle's professionalism and resources will let them serve this community well for years to come."

"We're honored that Ralph and Dawn trusted us to carry on what their family built," said Tony Kumming, President of Pinnacle Funeral Service. "Our promise is simple: keep the name, keep the team, and serve every family with respect and dignity."



The firm will continue to operate under a longtime, familiar local manager.

About Pinnacle Funeral Service

Pinnacle Funeral Service partners with respected funeral home owners seeking succession solutions, growth capital, or long-term operational support while preserving the local relationships and traditions that define their businesses. Owners interested in a confidential conversation can contact Tony Kumming, President, at tony@pinnaclefunerals.com.