Hentges, Thomas W. 1952-1973

HENTGES, BOWERS

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 4/27/2017 at 10:53:57

Source: Alton Democrat (3-7-1973)

Born: January 31, 1952
Died: February 25, 1973

Last rites were conducted in St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Alton February 28 for Thomas William Hentges who lost his life in a car accident February 25 near Guymon, Oklahoma. The funeral High Mass was can-celebrated by the Reverend Mervin Hood and the Reverend Edward Tiedeman.

Pallbearers were Joseph Even, Allen Willett, John Reuter, Richard Fareman, Richard Owens and Harold Scholten. Interment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Tom was born January 31, 1952 and is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hentges of Alton and by four brothers-- David of Easley, South Carolina, Lt. George of Columbia, South Carolina, Charles of Phoenix, Arizona and James, student at the University of Iowa, Iowa City; also by his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Hentges and grandfather, G.E. Bowers, both of Alton.

Tom had been discharged from the Navy February 2, 1973. His service aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hancock included a nine and a half month tour of duty “Westpac” to Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Viet Nam with port in Hawaii, the Philippines, China, and Japan. He stayed up all night to watch the returning P.O.W.’s and much to his satisfaction, some of them were from the Hancock.

He and his cousin, Bob Van Nimwegen, who had spent the fall and winter working for Harvestore and the Even Motor Company, were on their way to Phoenix, Bob’s home, when the head on collision occurred. Bob was thrown from the car but Tom, who was asleep in the passenger’s seat was killed instantly.

Bob’s injuries were treated in a hospital at Amarillo, Texas, apparently mainly a fractured left arm and his father arranged for him to be flown to Los Angeles for treatment by a specialist.

Among those from a distance at Alton for Tom’s funeral were all his brothers and his aunt, Mrs. Susan B. Vam Nimwegen of Phoenix who left for Amarillo Friday to be with her son Bob; also Miss Mikki Kopp, finance of Charles Hentges, whose parents live in Dubuque