Person Page - 532

     Lorena Theresa Tompkins also went by the name of Reenee Tompkins. She was born on 6 May 1887 at Amboy, Lee Co., IL.^1,2 She was the daughter of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe.¹ Lorena Theresa Tompkins married Charles Gruetzmacher on 21 October 1902 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹ Lorena Theresa Tompkins died on 30 January 1968 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 80.¹ She was buried at IOOF Cemetery, Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL.¹

Charles and Lorena were enumerated in the 1920 Harmon, Lee Co., IL, federal census. He was a grain farmer, age 47, she was 33. They had no children, however, enumerated in the household were neices LeEtta and Lucille Tompkins.

     Levi M. Tompkins was born on 6 July 1890 at Amboy, Lee Co., IL.^1,2 He was the son of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe.¹ Levi M. Tompkins married Alma Johnson Williamson.¹ Levi M. Tompkins died on 9 January 1929 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 38.¹ He was buried at IOOF Cemetery, Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL; Sec 12, Lot 11.^1,3

Levi and Alma were enumerated in the 1920 Elkhorn Grove, Carroll Co., IL, federal census. He was a farm laborer age 28, she was 27. The only child in the household was Ethel, 4 years 2 months.


Alma was enumerated in the 1930 Coloma, Whiteside Co., IL, federal census. She was a housekeeper age 37. Enumerated with her were Ethel 14, and Lyle 8. They were in the household of Mr. Esper Johnson.

     Lawrence Edward Tompkins was born on 16 September 1892 at Amboy, Lee Co., IL.^1,2 He was the son of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe.¹ Lawrence Edward Tompkins married Bertha May Walker on 3 December 1912 at Clinton, Clinton Co., IA.¹ Lawrence Edward Tompkins married Gertrude C. Royer on 15 December 1917 at Dixon, Lee Co., IL.¹ Lawrence Edward Tompkins died on 4 June 1978 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 85.^1,2

Lawrence registered for the draft in 1917 in Coloma, Whiteside Co., IL.


Lawrence and Gertrude were enumerated in the 1920 South Dixon, Lee Co., IL, federal census. He was a farmer age 37, she was 19. There were no children in the household. Children LeEtta and Lucille were staying with their aunt Lorena Gruetzmacher in Harmon.


Lawrence and Gertrude were enumerated in the 1930 Coloma, Whiteside Co., IL, federal census. He was a laborer in a tool factory, age 37, she was 29. Children in the houehold were Lilly 10, Isabel 8, Loretta 6, and Loveene 3 years, 3 months. Enumerated next door were Charles and Lorena Gruetzmacher with LeEtta 16, and Lucille 14.

     Leon Tompkins died. He was born on 16 December 1894 at Amboy, Lee Co., IL.¹ He was the son of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe.¹ Leon Tompkins died on 21 November 1897 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 2.¹

     Laura May Tompkins was born on 14 December 1895 at Amboy, Lee Co., IL.^1,2 She was the daughter of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe.¹ Laura May Tompkins died on 9 February 1906 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 10.¹ She was buried at IOOF Cemetery, Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL.¹

     Leonora Isabelle Tompkins was born on 17 March 1899 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL.^1,2 She was the daughter of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe.¹ Leonora Isabelle Tompkins married John Jay Signer on 11 April 1917 at Clinton, Clinton Co., IA.¹ Leonora Isabelle Tompkins died on 9 May 1974 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 75.^1,2 She was buried at IOOF Cemetery, Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL.¹

The 1900 census shows Esabelle born March 1898, age 2. The Social Security Death Index gives 17 March 1899.

     Leona Myrtle Tompkins was born on 28 October 1902 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL.^1,2 She was the daughter of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe.¹ Leona Myrtle Tompkins married Francis Adelbert Gould, son of John Gould and Eleanor Kochersperger, on 18 April 1917 at Morrison, Whiteside Co., IL.¹ Leona Myrtle Tompkins died on 9 March 1987 at Dixon, Lee Co., IL, at age 84.^1,2 She was buried at Oak Knoll Cemetery, Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹

Francis and Leona were enumerated in the 1920 Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL, federal census. He was a checker in a freight office, age 25; she was 19. There were no children in the household.


Francis and Leona were enumerated in the 1930 Coloma, Whiteside Co., IL, federal census. He was a trucker age 34, she was 28. Children in the household were Donald 9, and Willard 4 years 7 months.

     Leonard H. Tompkins was born on 31 May 1905 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL.^1,2 He was the son of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe.¹ Leonard H. Tompkins married Ruby (?) circa 1927.³ Leonard H. Tompkins married LaVerna L. Cook on 16 August 1952 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹ Leonard H. Tompkins died on 16 July 1992 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 87.^1,2 He was buried at IOOF Cemetery, Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL; Sec 14, Lot 23.⁴

Leonard and Ruby were enumerated in the 1930 census of Coloma, Whiteside Co., IL. He was a laborer in a wiremill age 24 she was 21. The only child in the household was Ellis L. 1 year 7 months.

     Charles Gruetzmacher was born on 22 February 1872 at Kewaunee, Kewaunee Co., WI.^1,2 He married Lorena Theresa Tompkins, daughter of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe, on 21 October 1902 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹ Charles Gruetzmacher died on 1 March 1933 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 61.¹ He was buried at IOOF Cemetery, Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL.¹

     Alma Johnson Williamson was born circa 1892 at IL.^1,2 She married Levi M. Tompkins, son of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe.¹

     Lyle L. Tompkins was born on 21 November 1921 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.^1,2 He was the son of Levi M. Tompkins and Alma Johnson Williamson.¹ Lyle L. Tompkins married Ardis Marie Holbrook, daughter of Charles Holbrook and Catherine (?).¹ Lyle L. Tompkins died on 17 October 1989 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 67.^1,2 He was buried at IOOF Cemetery, Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL; Sec 37, Lot 30.³

     Ardis Marie Holbrook was born on 19 August 1920.^1,2 She was the daughter of Charles Holbrook and Catherine (?)³ Ardis Marie Holbrook married Lyle L. Tompkins, son of Levi M. Tompkins and Alma Johnson Williamson.¹ Ardis Marie Holbrook died on 17 October 1989 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 69.^1,2 She was buried at IOOF Cemetery, Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL; Sec 37, Lot 30.

     Josephine (?) was born circa 1857 at NY.¹ She married Orange Ellis Noble, son of Henry Fayette Noble and Charlotte Ellis.¹

     Edmond Noble was born circa 1872 at NY.¹ He was the son of Orange Ellis Noble and Josephine (?)¹

     Edna Noble was born circa 1854 at NY.¹ She was the daughter of Orange Ellis Noble and Josephine (?)¹

     Charles Holbrook was born circa 1893 at IL.¹ He married Catherine (?) circa 1914.¹

     Catherine (?) was born circa 1895 at IL.¹ She married Charles Holbrook circa 1914.¹

     Bertha May Walker married Lawrence Edward Tompkins, son of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe, on 3 December 1912 at Clinton, Clinton Co., IA.¹ Bertha May Walker died on 10 October 1915 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹

     Gertrude C. Royer was born on 2 August 1899 at IL.^1,2,3 She married Lawrence Edward Tompkins, son of James Martin Tompkins and Dollie Melissa Holcombe, on 15 December 1917 at Dixon, Lee Co., IL.¹ Gertrude C. Royer died on 17 August 1972 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 73.^1,2

     LeEtta Mae Tompkins was born on 1 October 1913 at IL.^1,2 She was the daughter of Lawrence Edward Tompkins and Bertha May Walker.¹ LeEtta Mae Tompkins married Harold Clarence Oberbillig.¹ LeEtta Mae Tompkins died on 10 April 2000 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 86.¹ She was buried at Oak Knoll Cemetery, Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹

     Harold Clarence Oberbillig was born on 1 January 1912.^1,2 He married LeEtta Mae Tompkins, daughter of Lawrence Edward Tompkins and Bertha May Walker.¹ Harold Clarence Oberbillig died on 21 May 1960 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 48.^1,2 He was buried at Oak Knoll Cemetery, Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹

     Lucille Isabell Tompkins was born on 17 September 1915 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL.^1,2 She was the daughter of Lawrence Edward Tompkins and Bertha May Walker.¹ Lucille Isabell Tompkins married Robert James Loos on 6 October 1940 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹ Lucille Isabell Tompkins died on 22 February 1998 at Wheaton, DuPage Co, IL, at age 82.¹ She was buried at Oak Knoll Cemetery, Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹

     Robert James Loos was born on 1 May 1916.^1,2 He married Lucille Isabell Tompkins, daughter of Lawrence Edward Tompkins and Bertha May Walker, on 6 October 1940 at Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹ Robert James Loos died on 14 February 1979 at Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL, at age 62.^1,2 He was buried at Oak Knoll Cemetery, Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL.¹

     Lawrence E. Holcombe was born circa 1896 at MI.¹ He was the son of MI Holcombe and Eva (?)¹ Lawrence E. Holcombe married Doris M. Crawley, daughter of James W. Crawley and Mabel E. Merritt, on 25 June 1927. Lawrence E. Holcombe died in 1973.¹

Doris M. Holcomb, 100, of Bellevue, died June 16, 2004, at Eaton County Medical Care Facility.
She was born March 5, 1904, to James W. and Mabel E. (Merritt) Crawley in Baltimore Township, Barry County.

She taught elementary school in Hastings and Barry County schools.

Doris married Lawrence E. Holcomb on June 25, 1927. He preceded her in death in 1973.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Bernita Smith; sister, Irene Bridleman; brothers, Kenneth Crawley, Dale Crawley; and grandson, Douglas Smith.

She is survived by son, Bernard (Phyllis) Holcomb of Bellevue; seven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Verdie Sinclair; brother, Gerald (Ada) Crawley; and several nieces and nephews.

Doris was a member of the Heritage Hills Bible Church and volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher and Treasurer since 1936. She was active in the Grange for over 60 years and with the County Extension Service. She volunteered with the 4-H from the 1940?s through the 1970?s teaching. During World War II she knitted watch caps and scarves for the Army and Navy.

Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue where family will be present from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Services will take place 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2004, at the funeral home, Pastor Jeff Homan, officiating.

Interment, Ellis Cemetery.

Memorials may go to Heritage Hills Bible Church.

The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue.


Lawrence and Doris were enumerated in the 1930 Baltimore, Barry Co., MI, federal census. He was a day laborer, age 33, she was a school teacher age 27. There were no children in the household, but mother, Eva, age 67, was living with them and brother-in-law Kenenth Crawley was next door.

     Doris M. Crawley was born on 5 March 1904 at Baltimore, Barry Co., MI. She was the daughter of James W. Crawley and Mabel E. Merritt. Doris M. Crawley married Lawrence E. Holcombe, son of MI Holcombe and Eva (?), on 25 June 1927. Doris M. Crawley died on 16 June 2004 at Bellevue, Eaton Co., MI, at age 100.

     James W. Crawley married Mabel E. Merritt.

     Mabel E. Merritt married James W. Crawley.

     Eva (?) was born circa 1862 at MI.¹

     Bernita Holcombe was born on 11 January 1938. She was the daughter of Lawrence E. Holcombe and Doris M. Crawley. Bernita Holcombe married (?) Smith. Bernita Holcombe died in September 1983 at Bellevue, Eaton Co., MI, at age 45.

     (?) Smith married Bernita Holcombe, daughter of Lawrence E. Holcombe and Doris M. Crawley.

     Douglas Smith was the son of (?) Smith and Bernita Holcombe.

     Hoyt Holcombe was also known as Cy Holcombe. He was born on 28 December 1893 at MI.¹ He was the son of MI Holcombe.¹ Hoyt Holcombe married Rose Albosta circa 1923.¹ Hoyt Holcombe died on 7 February 1985 at Saginaw, Saginaw Co, MI, at age 91.

Hoyt was enumerated in the 1920 Township 5, Kern Co., CA, federal census. He was a bookkeeper, age 26, single, living in the household of George F. Bantwell.


Hoyt and Rose were enumerated in the 1930 Saginaw, Saginaw Co., MI, federal census. He was a clerk for the city, age 36; she was 31. The only chld in the household was Robert J. 3.

     Rose Albosta was born on 4 September 1898 at MI.¹ She married Hoyt Holcombe, son of MI Holcombe, circa 1923.¹ Rose Albosta died on 16 May 1998 at age 99.

     Robert James Holcombe was born on 17 May 1926 at Saginaw, Saginaw Co, MI. He was the son of Hoyt Holcombe and Rose Albosta. Robert James Holcombe died on 18 June 2004 at Saginaw, Saginaw Co, MI, at age 78.

Following a brief illness, our dear Robert James (Bob) Holcomb went home to God on June 18, 2004. Age 78 years. The only child of the late Hoyt (Cy) and Rose (Albosta) Holcomb, Bob was born May 17, 1926 in Saginaw, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army during WW II and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, two Bronze Battle Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan. Bob lived in Mio, Michigan and worked for the U.S. Postal Service for much of his adult life. He transferred to Saginaw when his parents aged and he cared for them until their deaths. He retired from the Post Office after 28 years of service. Bob was a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church. Surviving are one aunt, Anna Albosta; many special cousins and close friends. Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at St. Stephen Catholic Church. Rev. Fr. Brian Spencer will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Andrew Cemetery where military services will be conducted by American Legion Post #439. Friends may call at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd., (between Shattuck and McCarty), where the family will be present on Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at St. Stephen Catholic Church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass. A Vigil Service, led by Hank Messing, Pastoral Associate, will take place 3:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Aleda E. Lutz V.A. Medical Center or the American Cancer Society.
Published in the Saginaw News.

     Lillie LaVerne Tompkins was born on 3 February 1920 at Lee Co., IL.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of Lawrence Edward Tompkins and Gertrude C. Royer.¹ Lillie LaVerne Tompkins married Stanley Henson.¹ Lillie LaVerne Tompkins died on 10 March 2005 at Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., IL, at age 85.³