Charles Thompson

Charles E. Thompson, 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 28, at his residence.


Born January 18, 1924 in Richmond, Indiana, he was the son of Edward C. and Clara Stephenson Thompson. He served in the US Army in the European Theatre during World War Two, participating in the campaigns to liberate the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. His unit was the first to secure the Auschwitz concentration camp in the closing days of the war. Mr. Thompson returned home to marry the former Ruby Ketron on August 11, 1946 and began raising their 5 children.


Mr. Thompson was retired from Johns-Manville after 47 years of service. He was a member of the Whitewater Christian Church and was Past Master of Whitewater Masonic Lodge #159. He was a champion horseshoe thrower and enjoyed welding and solving word search puzzles.


Mr. Thompson will be missed by his 2 daughters, Linda Grover her husband, Keith, and Beth Harrison, all of Whitewater; his daughter-in-law, Becky Thompson, of Williamsburg; 5 grandchildren, Emily Necessary, Andy Grover, Rachel Mull, Christopher Harrison and Tim Thompson; 6 great-grandchildren, Courtland Necessary, Madelynn Grover, Alix Necessary, Sydney Grover, Aiden Grover, Garrett Mull and 1 great-grandchild to be born soon; and several nieces and nephews.


Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his parents and his step-father, Oscar Thompson, his wife, Ruby, on September 19, 2006; 3 sons, Thomas Thompson, Timothy Thompson and Larry E. Thompson; 2 sisters, Carrie Stidham and Garnet Oler; 6 brothers, Sam, John, Frank, Raymond, James and Forest Thompson.


A funeral ceremony will be conducted by Rev. Larry Girdwood at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, at the Smith & McQuiston Funeral Home, 321 US 27 South, Fountain City. Interment will follow in Whitewater Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Wayne County Honor Guard.


Family and friends may gather for visitation at the funeral home from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. A Masonic memorial ceremony will be conducted at 7:45 p.m.