Denly J. Thompson

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

GRAND ISLAND -- Denly J. Thompson, 83, died Tuesday (Feb. 17, 2004) at the Veterans Home in Grand Island.

He was born Feb. 23, 1920, to Earl and Norma (Estep) Thompson in Morrisvale, W.Va. He grew up in Nitro, W.Va., where he graduated from Nitro High School.

He entered the Army Air Corp serving during World War II.

On Sept. 20, 1945, he married Joye Heizenreter in Oberlin. The couple made their home in Culbertson, where he owned and operated Thompson's IGA Grocery Store until his retirement in 1982. The couple moved to Kearney in February 2000 before going to the Veteran's Home in Grand Island in 2002.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars of Culbertson. He served as past commander for the VFW Post No. 6219.

Survivors include his wife, Joye Thompson of Grand Island; two daughters, Sarajane Grandia and husband, Robert of Loveland, Colo., and Marijill Nickerson and husband, Thomas of Kearney; three sons, Denly J. Thompson and wife, Carol of Hastings, Timothy Thompson of McCook and Matthew Thompson of Greeley, Colo.; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services are Saturday, 10:30 a.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church in Culbertson with the Rev. Brian Hopfensperger officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be in Culbertson Cemetery in Culbertson.

Memorials may be given in his name and friends may call Herrmann Funeral Chapel in Culbertson Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.