Maurice Lee "Shorty" Tompkins passed away at his home at the age of 70. He was born in Pleasant Mound to Claude and Helen (Reavis) Tompkins. He married Brenda Lynn Plapp on December 30, 1966 and they later divorced. He then married Carol Ann Whicker on July 25, 1998 in Las Vegas, NV. She died October 13, 2003. He is survived by his mother, his daughter Clara (Kyle) Carpenter, his brothers Donald "Jake" (Georgianne) Tompkins, Robert (Janice) Tompkins and Neil "Newt" (Sally) Tompkins, his sisters Maxine (Guy) Stewart. He is also survived by one grandchild. He was preceded in death by his father, his wife, a son Trevor Lee Tompkins. He grew up in the Smithboro area and graduated from Mulberry Grove High School. He attended and graduated from The University of Illinois. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a pilot during the Vietnam Conflict. After the service he worked as a freight pilot. He started flying for Frontier Airlines in 1977 and in 1986 he started flying for Southwest Airlines unitil he retired in 2004. He moved from Orlando, FL to Vandalia after his wife died. He was disabled in an ultralight accident in May of 2005. Memorial contributions are suggested to Paralyzed Vets of America

Service:

Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 11 AM

Young Funeral Home