April 16, 2009

MARION - Edward D. Gompf, age 84, of Marion went to be with his Lord, Wednesday, April 15, 2009. He passed away at the Extended Care Facility, Morrow County Hospital after one year, following a stroke.

He was born March 29, 1925 to David and Emma (Miley) Gompf, was the loving husband of Anna Gertrude (Wilds) Gompf, who survives in Marion. They were married 63 years ago in St. Cloud, MN while he was in the service.

He is also survived by a devoted son, Ronald Allen (Laura) Gompf of Marion, a son, Daniel Edward (Leah) Gompf of Yellow Springs and a daughter, Donna Jean Fridley of Marysville.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Ann (Gompf) Tevis (just 7 months earlier); a son, William Edward; and an infant daughter, Jean Ann.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Barbara Mercer and Tammy Bott both of Indianapolis, Janice Blackledge, Marion, Amy Blackledge, North Carolina, Ultra Duval, Wisconsin, Coral Kerley, Chicago, Rhonda Nemeth and Chad Gompf of Marion and Justin Tevis of West Liberty; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ivah McClenathan, Woodside Village Mount Gilead.

He graduated from Claridon School in 1942 where he played basketball. He served in the Army in World War II for 13 months. He was a lifetime member of St. John's (Windfall) Lutheran Church. He loved to read his Bible and so many magazines and attended church whenever possible.

He loved doing all kinds of wood crafting. He designed and made antique tractor clocks, especially John Deere. He was a lifetime member of the National Library of Poetry, International Poetry Hall of Fame; some poems were set to music, and published in London and other countries overseas. He started writing poetry when his two year old son was killed in an auto accident. He won many awards and trophies and even wrote two Volumes of "Soul Food From The Farm: poetry, and a short book "Positive Side of 75", a book of his life. He also belonged to the American Legion and N.R.A.

He was a farmer all his life. He started working away from home at Houghton Sulky Company in Marion from 1942-44, Marion Engineering Depot 11 years and then 21 years at Marion Correctional Institution as a farm guard. He retired in 1983.

He will be sadly missed by all his friends and neighbors.

Friends may call Friday, April 17, 2009 at Gompf Funeral Home in Cardington from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St John Lutheran (Windfall) Church. Pastor Donald Pletcher will officiate and burial will follow in Windfall Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St John's Lutheran Church, Morrow County Hospice, American Cancer Society or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.gompffh.com.