George Herman Tophinke

George Herman Tophinke, age 85 of Bowling Green, passed away Monday June 4th, at his residence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:am on Thursday June 7, 2018 at St. Clement Catholic church in Bowling Green, with Rev. Jason T. Doke, STL: officiating. Burial will be held in the St. Clememt Cemetary. Visitation will be held from 4pm until 8pm on Wednesday at the Bibb-Veach Funeral Home in Bowling Green. George was born June 19, 1932 in St. Clement, the son of Felix George and Frances A. Miller Tophinke. He married Pauline Linker July 15, 1959 in Hamilton AL. She survives. Other survivors include his children Phyllis Grayson of Bowling Green, Brenda Parsons (Dennis) of Clarksville, George Michael Tophinke (Debbie) of Auxvasse, Charles Rudy (Carensa) Tophinke of St. Clement and Richard Tophinke (Karen) of Bowling Green; grandchildren Jessica Grayson (Jessica), Eric Grayson (Isabella), Neal Parsons (Brittany), Nathan Parsons, Brock Parsons (Amber), Amanda McClure, Michael Tophinke, Megan Barton (David), Courtney Smith (Kevin) and Caitlin Tophinke. Beth Blanchard (Chad), Sarah Waddell (James), Becky Williams (Shea), Bradley Dempsey, Deanna Laird (Josh); great grandchildren, Lillian P. Parsons, Samuel Parsons, June Parsons, Addison Barton, Kevin Smith, Audrey Smith, Jacob Blanchard, Annabel Blanchard, Aaron Blanchard, Madisyn Waddell, Mathew Waddell, Mara Waddell, , Benett Waddell, Brennah Waddell, Grant Waddell, Makenna Waddell, Kaeden Williams, Kyndal Williams, and Wyatt Moore, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Harold Tophinke; son George Herman Tophinke Jr., son-in-law Bill Grayson. George grew up and lived in St. Clement until he entered the United States Air Force. During his enlistment he served in the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He was assigned duty in Japan, Germany, Libya and Thailand as well as several U.S. bases. He was a Crew Chief and Air Craft Maintenance Supervisor on trainer, bomber and fighter aircraft. He retired from the USAF in 1972 after 20 years as a Master Sergeant. George moved back home to Bowling Green, MO and worked for the U.S. Postal Service. He was a member of the Retired Enlisted Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, and the U.S. Postal workers Union. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed traveling to races across the U.S. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals, was meticulous about his yard and home. Most of all he loved his family. Serving as pall bearers will be Neal Parsons, Brock Parsons, Eric Grayson, Michael Tophinke, Chris Tophinke and David Barton. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Mark Stokes, Jimmy Turpin, George Jacobs, Chuck Tophinke, Ed Feldmann and John Tophinke. Memorials may be made to the St. Clement Building Fund, Pike County Memorial Hospital Nurses Scholarship Fund, American Heart Association or the donor's choice.

George Herman Tophinke

June 19, 1932 - June 4, 2018