Kenneth Tompkins

Kenneth L. Tompkins, age 88 of Great Bend, passed away Sept. 17, 2015 at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend, Ks.  He was born on Sept. 20, 1926 on the family farm NE of Byers, Ks., in Rural Stafford Co., Ks., the son of Lawrence W. and Gladys I. (Miles) Tompkins.  Kenny graduated from Antrim High School in 1945.  Soon after that he served two years in the US Army during WWII and was stationed in the Philippines.  He received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Independence Ribbon and WWII Victory Medal. He had lifetime memberships in Morrison-McFadden VFW Post #3111 and American Legion Post #180 both of Great Bend.  Kenny owned and operated Kenny’s Farm Service at St. John.  He was employed for 18 years by the Kansas Forestry Fish and Game Commission serving at Glen Elder Reservoir as Area Manager.  On Oct. 29, 1949, he married Fern A. Miller at Great Bend, Ks., she survives of the home.  Other survivors include two sons, Gregory Tompkins (Lori), Ashville, Al., Mark Tompkins (Doris), St. John, Ks.; a daughter, Teresa Bachand (Denis) Great Bend, Ks.; 6 grandchildren, Laura Davis (Kevin), Amanda Meiklejohn (Matt), Leah Tompkins, Brett Tompkins (Ranee), Kristy Pickett (Jeremy), Trevor Maneth (Michel); step-granddaughter, Kimberly Bachand and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Raymond and Tommy and one great grandchild, Brayden Davis. Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Monday, Sept. 21, 2015 at Minnis Chapel, St. John, Ks., with Daryl Perry presiding. Burial will follow in the Fairview Park Cemetery, St. John.  Visitation will be on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 from 1-7 PM at the funeral home with family present from 5-7 PM.  Memorials may be given to Alzheimer’s Research or Fairview Park Cemetery Improvement Fund in care of Minnis Chapel, P.O. Box 34, St. John, Ks 67576.