Ivan Thompson

Ivan Skelly Thompson, 93, passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 18, 2024. He was a kind, loving, generous soul with a sense of humor and a spark of orneriness.  He will be greatly missed by all those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Visitation and services are entrusted to Potts Chapel, Independence, KS, on Thursday, January 25, 2024.  The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Funeral services will commence at 1:00 pm on the same date.  A short interment ceremony will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, KS.

Ivan was born in the Havana, KS, family home on July 21, 1930.  He was the son of Hugh and Fleta (Ingold) Thompson and was raised by them in his early years.  He was later raised by his Uncle and Aunt, Earl and Alice Thompson.  Ivan graduated from Havana High School and then traveled to California and worked odd jobs.  

In 1951 he returned to Independence to join the Army as a Private, Engr Float Br Company. He was transferred to the Army Reserve in 1952 to complete his 4 years of service.  Ivan went on to work on Tiber Dam construction in Montana, later returning to Independence in 1954.  

At a New Year’s Eve dance in 1954 he met his love and future wife, Betty J. Hendrickson.  They married on July 23, 1955.  They were married for nearly 50 years. Their union produced 3 children, Teresa L. (Thompson) Jones, Sandra R. (Thompson) Wharton, and Russell Skelly Thompson.

Ivan attended Independence Community Junior College and then went on to graduate from Kansas State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  He was first employed by the Boeing Company, then ‘job shopped’ with McDonnell Douglas, moving the family to Missouri, Florida, and Georgia. His projects included the Gemini Spacecraft launch. Ivan and Betty then moved their family back to Wichita, Kansas, where they lived until 1972, when they moved to Belle Plaine, KS.  In 1992 Ivan retired from the Boeing Company with 32 years of service.  

After Ivan’s retirement the couple moved to Independence and then Havana Lake.  Upon Betty’s passing in 2005, Ivan built a home on the farm they purchased in 1971. He resided at the farm until he could no longer live independently.  The farm was always his heart’s desire, the pull was great, and the one thing that rejuvenated his soul.  He was a born again Christian and has joined Jesus in heaven.

Ivan is preceded in death by his parents, Aunt and Uncle parents, wife, Betty Thompson, cousins, siblings: Gerald (Tuffy) Thompson and Harold (Shadder) Thompson, and dear friend, Audree Link.

Those left to cherish his memory are daughters:  Terri Jones (husband Ron), Sandy Wharton (husband Jim); son: Russell Thompson (wife Jan); dear friend, Donna Clark; 4 grandchildren, their spouses, and 8 great-grandchildren; sister: Wanda Maltby; brother: John Thompson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Havana GMC or Mulvane American Legion Post 136.