The Life of ERNEST ARKLE THOMPSON
Ernest Arkle Thompson, 89, passed from this life on Thursday, September 6, 2012 at his daughter's home in Grover, North Carolina. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, September 12, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Des Moines, with burial following at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Ernest was born the son of Charles and Icel Phillips Thompson on June 30, 1923, in Des Moines, Iowa. Ernest attended Lincoln High School in Des Moines. He then joined the U.S. Army and served his country during World War II. On August 25, 1946, he married Berniece Eleanor Holste in Des Moines, and their marriage was blessed with three daughters, Pam, Sheila and Judy. Ernest was employed with Bernard Foods until his retirement. After retiring, he worked part-time as a seafood demonstrator at the Urbandale Hy-Vee. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, of which Ernest served as an usher. He was also a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a life member of the Masons.
He is survived and lovingly remembered by his three daughters, Judy Thompson of Des Moines, Sheila Parnell of Grover, NC, and Pamela Larson of Ingleside, TX; one sister, Eloise Dillingham of Honolulu, HI; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Ernest was preceded in death by his wife, Berniece Thompson in 2004.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11, at Iles Funeral Homes, Westover Chapel located at 6337 Hickman Road in Des Moines, where the family will greet friends.
Memorials may be made to either: St. John's Lutheran Church in Des Moines or Hospice of Shelby, North Carolina.
