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Thimmes, Gene E.
Chief Master Sergeant, Gene E. Thimmes, U. S. Air Force Retired, 90, died Friday, June 22, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, due to a fall in his Mechanicsville home. In accordance with Gene's wishes, there will be no visitation. Private graveside service will be Tuesday in Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville, with military honors. Arrangements with Morgan Funeral Choices, Mount Vernon.
Surviving Gene is a brother, Melvin “Jake” at home; nephew, Dennis E. (Christine) Curtis, Cedar Rapids; niece, Cathy (Ron) Zimmerman, Marion; and several great-nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Preceding Gene in death were his parents; sisters, Marjorie E. Curtis and Betty J. Armstrong; brother, Mervin “Tim” Thimmes; and nephews, Michael and Daniel G. Curtis and Larry R. Armstrong.
Gene was born Aug. 15, 1921, in his current home, the first child of William P. and Ruby E. Gibson Thimmes. He graduated from Mechanicsville High School in the class of 1940, and attended the Iowa State Teachers College from 1940 until 1941. Gene was employed by the S.S. Krescke Company in Waterloo and Muscatine.
Gene entered the U.S. Navy on June 28 1942. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes, Ill., and graduated from the Navy Hospital Corps Schools. Gene served in Medical facilities in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Oran Algeria, North Africa, during World War 2.
Gene was honorably discharged Dec. 19, 1945, and returned to employment for the S.S. Krescke Co. in the Chicago area. On May 1, 1947, he re-enlisted in the United States Air Force. Gene retired after 23 years from the Air Force on June 30, 1966. He served in the Air Force medical facilities in England, France and numerous SAC bases. Following retirement, he started employment with the Iowa Department of Corrections at Anamosa and Oakdale in administrative positions. He retired from that employment in November 1948.
Cards and condolences for Gene are to be sent to Kathy Zimmerman, 460 Valley View Dr., Marion, IA 52302.
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Published in The Gazette June 24, 2012.
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