Elmer John Thole
April 19, 1920 — August 8, 2004
Elmer J. Thole
Age 84, born April 19, 1920, in McCook, Nebraska and died August 8, 2004, in Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, Kansas
He served our country in World War II, in the European theater from April 13, 1944 to January 31, 1946, as a combat engineer.
As a retired construction worker in 1978 he moved to Fall River and enjoyed 26 years of hunting, fishing, dancing, singing, gardening, and playing his fiddle, along with his beloved wife of 39 years.
Together they made many friends and enjoyed every moment of their time together. As a member of VFW post #2712 in Eureka, Kansas he performed such duties as marching in many parades and was a member of the Honor Guard. He also was a member of the Kansas Oldtime Fiddlin’ Pickin’ and Singers. He participated in the Golden Age Dance Group and devoted many hours playing the violin and singing for the senior center.
His survivors include a loving wife of 39 years Opal A. Thole, Fall River, KS. Sister Violet Pennington, Oklahoma City, OK., Children and Grandchildren: Oldest daughter, Barbara Taylor, Bartlesville, OK., Becky Jo and Tom Haggatt Harrisonburg, VA., Dan Tibbits Naples, FL., Jay and Dayna Roberts, Sandsprings, OK., and Jaime Hammond, Sandsprings, OK.
Oldest son, Jerry and Faye Thole, Fall River, KS., Ron and Brenda Thole, Derby, KS., Todd and Shelly Plummer, Rose Hill, KS.
Second daughter, Lawrence and Janice Smith, Bartlesville, OK., Alan Smith, Rockford, IL., Kelly and Sheila Smith, Troy, MO., Robert and Amy Smith, Rockford, IL., Kirsten Higbee, Bartlesville, OK., Stuart and Tracy Smith, Gainesville, FL.
Third daughter, Vicki Dixon, Naples, FL., Theresa Eidson, Naples, FL.
Second son, Norman Thole, Fall River, KS., Elizabeth, Ashli, and Tyler Thole, Fall River, KS.
Sister-in-laws Thelma Thole, Wichita, KS., Polly Thole New Burn, NC., Brother and Sister-in-law, Willis and Elaine Nigh, Wichita, KS., and children Doug and Edith Nigh, St. Louis, MO., Mindy and Greg Jochems M.D., Albuquerque, NM., Carl and Carrie Fuch, Wichita, KS., Brother and sister-in-law Sid and Lucille Showalter Tucson, AZ., and children, Mike and Norma Ann Bolchalk, Tucson, AZ., Tim Showalter, Esquire, Arkansas City, KS., Lee Showalter Tucson, AZ.
He was also survived by 24 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lillie, two sisters, seven brothers, and one grandchild, Billy Shumway.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, August 12, 2004, at Koup Family Funeral Home with Pastor Alan Hunter of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in White Chapel Cemetery, Wichita, Kansas.
Memorials have been established with VFW Post 2712, Eureka, KS., and the American Cancer Society. Mail donations to Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, Kansas 67045.
Age 84, born April 19, 1920, in McCook, Nebraska and died August 8, 2004, in Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, Kansas
He served our country in World War II, in the European theater from April 13, 1944 to January 31, 1946, as a combat engineer.
As a retired construction worker in 1978 he moved to Fall River and enjoyed 26 years of hunting, fishing, dancing, singing, gardening, and playing his fiddle, along with his beloved wife of 39 years.
Together they made many friends and enjoyed every moment of their time together. As a member of VFW post #2712 in Eureka, Kansas he performed such duties as marching in many parades and was a member of the Honor Guard. He also was a member of the Kansas Oldtime Fiddlin’ Pickin’ and Singers. He participated in the Golden Age Dance Group and devoted many hours playing the violin and singing for the senior center.
His survivors include a loving wife of 39 years Opal A. Thole, Fall River, KS. Sister Violet Pennington, Oklahoma City, OK., Children and Grandchildren: Oldest daughter, Barbara Taylor, Bartlesville, OK., Becky Jo and Tom Haggatt Harrisonburg, VA., Dan Tibbits Naples, FL., Jay and Dayna Roberts, Sandsprings, OK., and Jaime Hammond, Sandsprings, OK.
Oldest son, Jerry and Faye Thole, Fall River, KS., Ron and Brenda Thole, Derby, KS., Todd and Shelly Plummer, Rose Hill, KS.
Second daughter, Lawrence and Janice Smith, Bartlesville, OK., Alan Smith, Rockford, IL., Kelly and Sheila Smith, Troy, MO., Robert and Amy Smith, Rockford, IL., Kirsten Higbee, Bartlesville, OK., Stuart and Tracy Smith, Gainesville, FL.
Third daughter, Vicki Dixon, Naples, FL., Theresa Eidson, Naples, FL.
Second son, Norman Thole, Fall River, KS., Elizabeth, Ashli, and Tyler Thole, Fall River, KS.
Sister-in-laws Thelma Thole, Wichita, KS., Polly Thole New Burn, NC., Brother and Sister-in-law, Willis and Elaine Nigh, Wichita, KS., and children Doug and Edith Nigh, St. Louis, MO., Mindy and Greg Jochems M.D., Albuquerque, NM., Carl and Carrie Fuch, Wichita, KS., Brother and sister-in-law Sid and Lucille Showalter Tucson, AZ., and children, Mike and Norma Ann Bolchalk, Tucson, AZ., Tim Showalter, Esquire, Arkansas City, KS., Lee Showalter Tucson, AZ.
He was also survived by 24 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lillie, two sisters, seven brothers, and one grandchild, Billy Shumway.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, August 12, 2004, at Koup Family Funeral Home with Pastor Alan Hunter of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in White Chapel Cemetery, Wichita, Kansas.
Memorials have been established with VFW Post 2712, Eureka, KS., and the American Cancer Society. Mail donations to Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, Kansas 67045.
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