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Charles Hubert Tompkins

1890 - 1954

 

 

Services for C. Tompkins

Services were held for Charles Hubert Tompkins last Friday Dec. 17 at a public memorial service from the Garner Memorial building at 10 a.m., and from the First Methodist church at 2 p.m. Mr. Tompkins died in a Mason City Hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the age of 64 years, six months, and one day.

Charles was a son of Sarah Brooker and John F. Tompkins, and was born on June 14, 1890, in Winnebago county. He was one of nine children; being preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Fred; and one sister, Minnie.

In the memorial service words of comfort were spoken by the Rev. Trevor Baskerville and the Rev. Carl Mohr. The sermon topic was "That the desert might bloom". Music was supplied by the mixed chorus, under the direction of Miss Barbara Rankin. The hymn was "My Faith Looks Up to Thee". A solo was sung by Miss Gladys Lonsdale entitled, "O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go", Mrs. Chester Stille was the organist.

Words of tribute and respect was spoken by A. E. Rankin of Hampton, former superintendent of schools in Garner, and by A. N. Stroh, present superintendent of schools.

Ushers for the memorial service were Jim Jass, Doug Jass, John Smith, and Eldon Gjerde.

In the services from the church the Rev. Trevor Baskerville spoke the words of comfort. He used as his text - Isaiah 35:7 ".. and the mirage shall become a pool". Comfort in music was supplied by Delbert Talbott, who sang, "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind", and "Lead Kindly Light". Mrs. G. W. Templeton was the organist.

Honorary pallbearers were; C. N. Housh, president of the board of education, Dr. C. V. Hamilton, Vern Butz, Bernard Engstler, and H. L. Ollenberg, members of the board of education. G. W. Templeton, secretary of the board, Halbert H. Pollock, treasurer of the board and A. N. Stroh superintendent.

The pallbearers were; Claire Tompkins, Dean Tompkins, Cecil Meinecke, Alvin Meinecke, Ardell Waddingham, and Harry Roenfanz. Mr. Tompkins was laid to rest in the Concord cemetery.

On June 17, 1914, he and Hazel Riley of Fonda, were married in Fort Dodge. To this union of better than 40 years were born three children; Denzel H. of Des Moines; Rachel (Thomas) of Manilla; and Richard N. of Des Moines. Seven grandchildren were a great source of joy and interest to Charles in later years. All of the aforementioned survive him, as well as three brothers and three sisters; P. S. Tompkins of Garner; T. W. Tompkins and J. L. Tompkins of Clear Lake; Mrs. George Meinecek of Forest City; Mrs. Walter Meinecke of Thompson; and Mrs. Merril Long of Utica, N. Y.

Through the years, he taught in the rural schools at Fonda, starting in 1911; and later was superintendent in the schools at Goodell and Klemme; before moving to Garner in 1919. Here he was a representative of the Central Life Assurance Society for several years, until he became a teacher in the local schools during the holiday season of 1921. The following year he was elected principal of the Garner Grade school, a position he held for 32 consecutive years - he spent over 40 years in the education profession.

Charles served his church in many active ways. He was superintendent of the Sunday School for a number of years, and sang in the choir and a male quartet. On many occasions he acted as speaker for the Laymen of the Methodist church in northwest Ia.

His interests in the community have been many, and children were a big part of his interest in life - not only in school, but as he maintained contact with them in their growth in life.

Charles was a Mason and served as master of Bethel lodge No. 319 A.F. and A.M. and for a number of years he conducted installation of new officers.

Although he suffered a heart attack in the fall of 1953, he returned to school in the spring and had attended his regular duties every day this school year, until the beginning of his final illness, and the stroke which hospitalized him on December 2nd. His condition became critical Friday, December 10, just five days before his death.

This educator. public servant, and Christian will be grievously missed in this community - not only by his family, his relatives and close friends, but by the hundreds of pupils who passed through his classes during the 33 years of teaching in this community.

source: Leader & Signal, Garner, Iowa, 22 Dec 1954, page 1, column 4

 

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