Armstrong, Thomas Alvin 1870-1945

ARMSTRONG, LIPTON, FULLER, PETERSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/9/2012 at 16:19:20

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Nov. 1, 1945

ALVIN ARMSTRONG'S FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD TUESDAY

Funeral services for the late Thomas Alvin Armstrong were held from the James Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon in charge of Rev. W.B. Wilson, pastor of the Chester Congregational church. Music was provided by Miss Vesta Scott with Mrs. Gordon Farley as accompanist. Pallbearers were Floyd Eichhorn, Ralph Reams, Lehrl Fritz, John Newton, George Hiser and Frank Wesco. Interment was made in the Chester cemetery.

Thomas Alvin Armstrong was the son of Archibald and Mary Lipton Armstrong. He was born at Preemption, Ill., Sept. 8, 1870, and died at the Community hospital in Grinnell, Friday, Oct. 26, at the age of 75 years, 1 month and 19 days.

In 1881, when Alvin wwas 11 years of age the family moved to Iowa and settled on a farm five miles north of Grinnell which the father had purchased. Here the remainder of his boyhood years were spent. Except for a short time in Omaha, Neb., where he was clerk in a bank, he was a resident of Chester township until 1930 when he removed to a farm near Malcom, and in 1938 he came to Grinnell, where he has since lived.

On March 31, 1897, he was married to Ruth C. Fuller, and the young couple began housekeeping on the place now owned and occupied by Ed Lidtka, adjacent to his father's farm, later moving to the home farm. Mrs. Armstrong passed away nine years ago.

Four children, all of whom survive him, were born to the home. They are Marion H. Armstrong of Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. Mary Peterson of Modesto, Calif., and Clarence C. and Archie Armstrong of Clovis, N.M.

There are also now living six grandchildren--Ruth Peterson of Modesto, and Raymond Peterson, now in the armed service, Thelma Jean Armstrong of Wichita Falls, Texas, Thomas A., now in the armed forces, C.C. Armstrong, Jr., of Bartlesville, Okla., and Marion H. Armstrong, Jr., of Dallas Tex. He is also survived by a brother, F.L. Armstrong of Grinnell.

He was a member of the Elks lodge in Grinnell, and while living in Chester township attended the Chester Congregational church.

To know Alvin Armstrong was to like the man. He was innately kind and companionable. In his quiet and affable way he drew people to him, and held them by his unfailing interest in their welfare. While his later years were spent elsewhere, he never lost his interest in the Chester community where the best part of his life was lived, where many of his old friends still reside, and where he will find a resting place by the side of his beloved wife, beneath the serene sky, and in the open country which he so dearly loved.