Gertrude Thompson

Gertrude R. Harting Thompson, 85, of Lawrenceville, IL, passed away Saturday, July 9, 2011 at home surrounded by her family. Born October 27, 1925, in Freelandville, Knox Co., IN. She was the daughter of John F. and Lena (Due) Harting. Her parents preceded her, as well as two brothers, John D. and Robert R., and her husband, Paul "Sen" Thompson Jr, who died March 7, 2009. She was married to Paul on May 11, 1947. Survivors include her daughter, Susan Thompson of Lexington, KY, four sons; Jeff and wife Laurie Thompson of Evansville, IN, Tom Thompson of Gypsum, CO, Bruce and wife Dennie Thompson of Evansville, IN, and Alan and wife Debbie Thompson of Lawrenceville, IL.; seven grandchildren, Ben, Brian, Stephanie, Craig, Hadley, Bethany and Cassandra; a sister Wilma M. (Harting) Klueh of Vincennes and sister-in-laws Aline (Hatton) Harting of Terre Haute and Norma (Pfoff) Thompson, Lawrenceville, IL. Gertie was a member of the St. John's United Church of Christ since 1930. She served on the Church Board, stewardship & service and music committees at church, taught Sunday school and Bible school, and sang in the choir over 50 years. She was a volunteer for the American Red Cross at Good Samaritan Hospital and the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. During WW II, she was a member of USO Junior Hostess organization where she received the Meritorious Service award. She served on the Board of Education for Hutton School Dist. #1, and Lawrence County Industrial Council, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and volunteered for 10 years at Arlington Elementary School. She was a member of the Lawrence County Homemakers for 60 years. While volunteering for Kids Write, she was pen pals with several Knox County elementary school children for several years. Her pen pal years began in her eighth grade year, writing to Winifred Jones from England, which has continued since that time. Her claim to fame was being the first female carhop in Vincennes. Gertie graduated from Lincoln High School in Vincennes in 1944 at the top of her class. She was a sorority member of the Epsilon Psi Chapter of Delta Theta Tau since 1944. She spent many years making over 2,000 teddy bears for the Emergency Room and Same Day Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital, as well as Christmas socks for all babies born in December each year. Gertie was a devoted loving mother to her five children and a supportive and devoted wife to her husband of almost 62 years. Funeral service will be held at 10:00am EDT, Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 524 Broadway St. Vincennes, IN, with Rev. Dr. Kate Lambertson officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, from 5:00 - 8:00pm EDT on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Goodwin Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice or St. John's United Church of Christ, both in Vincennes. Online condolences may be sent to the family through goodwinfamilyfh.com.