Master Se Gene E. Thimmes

Chief Master Sergeant, Gene E. Thimmes, USAF Retired, age 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 August 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, Illinois 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, December 19, 1945 and returned to employment for the S.S. Krescke Company 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 of 1948. Cards and condolences for Gene, are to be sent to Kathy Zimmerman, 460 Valley View Dr., Marion, Iowa, 52302. On line condolences, www.morganfuneralchoices.com.