Lillian Tompkins

Marie Tompkins was a woman who could do anything she set her mind to – and she usually had her mind set on helping others! Marie had a bottomless love for her family and for life itself, and was always thinking of ways to share her joy with those around her. Marie’s enthusiasm for life, unflinching determination, and true kindness will live on in the hearts of all those whose lives she touched; she was deeply loved, and will be deeply missed.

The 1930s were in many ways a somber decade, sandwiched between the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and World War II. For proud parents Edward and Lillian (Goodwin) Striegel, however, these difficult years were brightened by the birth of their daughter, Lillian “Marie” Striegel. Marie was born on July 25, 1930, and shared her birth year with the debut of Betty Boop, the invention of Scotch tape, and the discovery of Pluto.

Marie grew up in Clay City, Illinois, with her brothers Henry, Lowell, and Nelson. Edward and Lillian earned their living as farmers, and later worked for an oil well company after oil was discovered on their land. Sadly, however, Marie’s mother Lillian passed away when Marie was only six months old, and Marie was sent to live with her Grandpa and Grandma Striegel. She was her grandpa’s little buddy, and he took her to the post office holding hands every day from the time she could walk. Later, after her grandpa passed away, Marie’s Aunt Vi, Uncle Jack, and cousin Nancy joined the household.

Although there was a ten-year age difference between Marie and Nancy, they were fast friends. They enjoyed hosting tea parties with cookies and popcorn, and during the hot summer months would relax in washtubs full of cool water. Marie also loved to “direct” neighborhood plays with her friend, Fannie. They spent hours practicing the plays, and then performed on a stage with a sheet slung over a clothesline serving as a curtain!

The years sped by, and before she knew it Marie was a high school freshman. Marie’s passion throughout her high school years was roller-skating – she was the acknowledged roller-skating queen – and she won many competitions. She also spent a lot of time baby-sitting her cousin, Nancy, who at the time she regarded as a “brat.” After graduating from high school, Marie went on to attend nurses training at St. Mary’s Hospital. She had to quit after only one year, however, when she married Daniel Searle (married students weren’t allowed at the time). In the years to come, Marie became the proud mother of three wonderful children, William, Lorie, and Sue.

For many years, Marie worked in the catalog department of Sears. Then, in May of 1970, she opened Westphal’s Jewelry Store in Bradley, Illinois, with her second husband, John Westphal. Marie and John operated the store together for ten years, eventually selling the company to their son, Doug, in 1980.

After retirement, Marie initially settled down in Cass Lake, Minnesota, but later moved to McAllen, Texas. Marie was generous with her time, and often volunteered for various worthy causes. In Minnesota, for example, she was the head of the church’s Ladies Society. Later, in Texas, she volunteered for hospice and taught disadvantaged children how to read. Each Christmas, all the children were invited to her house for dinner and a Christmas gift.

Marie actually met her current husband, Henry “Hank” Tompkins, through her daughter, Lorie. Lorie started chatting with Hank at a local restaurant, Fran’s on 17, and mentioned that her single mother lived in McAllen, Texas. Lo and behold, Hank showed up on Marie’s doorstep (Marie didn’t have the faintest idea who he was)! Marie and Hank gradually fell in love, and were married in Custer Park on July 24, 2004. By this time, she had relocated to Kankakee, Illinois, where Marie belonged to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. In her free time, Marie enjoyed fishing, playing cards, reading, and sewing.

Passionate, determined, and kind hearted, Marie was a loving wife, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members.

Lillian “Marie” Tompkins died on July 18, 2013, at the age of 82. Marie’s family includes her husband, Hank, of Kankakee; her daughter, Lorie (Ray) Colclasure of Custer Park, IL; her son, William ‘Bill’ Searle of CO; her step-children, Linda Leckrone of Midland, MI, Dick Westphal of Hutchinson, KS, Chris Fry, of TX, Bob Tompkins of Antioch, TN, John Tompkins of Pittsburgh, PA, and Mike Tompkins of Milwaukee, WI.; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sue Hudson; her step-son, Doug Westphal; and her step-daughter, Nancy Vikorin.

A gathering time for friends and family will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, at the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home’s Kankakee Chapel. Lillian’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 22, also at the Kankakee Chapel. Cremation rites will be accorded following Marie’s funeral service. Burial will take place at Mount Calvary Cemetery and will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family’s wishes. Please visit Marie’s personal memory page at www.schrefflerfuneralhomes.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.