Funeral services for Ernest Larkin “Bob” of New Hampton were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 22 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Hampton with Rev. Carl Schmitt officiating. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in in New Hampton. His son and daughter placed the pall. Pallbearers were his grandchildren: Christopher Hart-sock, Susan Hartsock Dean, Lyn-nettee Larkin McNully, Lance Larkin, Lisa Larkin Melton, and Ward Hartsock, with the members of the New Hampton Volunteer Fire Department as honorary pallbearers. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Ernest, 91, died Monday, December 17, 2001 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton of natural causes.

Ernest Leo Larkin was bom July 13, 1910 in Pleasant Hill, MO, the son of Wiliam H. and Delilah (Fantz) Larkin. His parents moved to the New Hampton area in 1911 where Bob grew up on farms and attended New Hampton Public School. Following high school he worked for Mielke Mfg. Co. and Dunkle Construction. He was grade foreman before going into the tire and battery business with his brother, Harry in 1931. Later Bob managed a Standard Oil Service Station.

On November 27, 1934 he married Otilda Moravetz of near Protivin. Bob moved his family to Long Beach, CA in 1941 where he worked as a welder in the shipyards. Following WWII, Bob and his brother Harry operated a service station in Cathedral City, CA until returning to New Hampton in 1946. Bob sold welding equipment and supplies for Louis Sudhop and worked as a mechanic for Tim and Dan Donovan in their Dodge and Plymouth garage. He. also worked as a mechanic for Frank Kraft in his Pontiac garage. In 1950 he took over the management of New Hampton Pyrofax Gas. In 1951 he sold the gas business and went to work as a welder for Oliver Tractor Co. in Charles City util 1954 when he joined Alexander Construction Co. and spent two years building airstrips in the Azores off the coast of Portugal.On his return he worked for Mark Eischeid on the Coralville dam project and the Missiouri River levy project at Atchinson, KS. Bob went to work for Glen Wilkins in 1961 in the LP gas business. In 1966 he taught night classes in welding at the New Hampton Public School and in 1967 was hired to teach welding at Northeast Iowa Technical Institute at Calmar where he retired in July 1975. Following his retirement,. Bob and Tillie bought and sold antiques for many years.

Bob was the oldest living member of the New Hampton Volunteer Fire Department, having joined the force in 1931.

He is survived by his wife Otilda; two children: Ernest F. of Norman, OK and Norma Hartsock of Green Valley, AZ; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; one sister: Irene Larkins; and one brother: Harry.

Source: Times Plain Dealer; Jan. 2, 2002 Page A-3
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the Web by Bill Waters