Henry E. “Hank” Tompkins, 95, of Washington and formerly of Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2022 in the United Presbyterian Home in Washington, just a few days shy of his 96th birthday.
The funeral service for Hank will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, December 5 at the First Presbyterian Church, 902 S. Walnut St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend Trey Hegar, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, with military honors conducted at the graveside by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail.
Hank’s family will be present to receive friends from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the church on Monday, Open calling hours will be held from 1-6 PM on Sunday, Dec. 4 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the First Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.
Born December 3, 1926 in Iowa County, Iowa, he was the son of Lester M. Tompkins and Bessie M. Willenbrock.
He grew up in Burlington, Iowa and graduated Burlington High School in 1944. After graduation, he enrolled in the University of Iowa but was drafted into the U.S. Army on April 24, 1945 at Jefferson Barracks, MO. He served with the 8th Army Special Services Headquarters. Hank was honorably discharged as a Corporal on November 29, 1946 at Ft. Sheridan, IL After completing his military service, he returned to Iowa where he graduated from the University in 1949 with a degree in Business.
On June 2, 1957, he married Elna Jane Rostenbach in Davenport, Iowa. They lived in Ottumwa, Iowa and then in 1959 purchased what became Tompkins Family Shoe Store in Mount Pleasant. He happily operated the store until his retirement in 1990.
He was a forty-eight-year member of the Mount Pleasant Rotary and the First Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed traveling, watching sports, and volunteering. Governor Vilsack recognized his volunteerism to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program with an award in 1999.
Those thankful for sharing in Hank’s life include his wife of 65 years, , Elna; children Daniel (Becky) of Storm Lake; Nancy Knapp of Danville; Jane (Chris McKenna) of Cedar Rapids and Bruce of Marion; grandchildren – Clinton Knapp, Emily Laue, Andrew Knapp, Kelsey Feddersen, Meredith Tompkins, Claire Tompkins, Josephine Tompkins, and Jonah Tompkins; and great-grandchildren Briar and Ivy Feddersen, Thomas Buse, and Eleanor and Beatrix Laue.
His parents and siblings, Ruth Hallgren and Murray Tompkins precede Hank in death.