Samuel Tolbert Jr.
Samuel Tolbert Jr., age 82, of Evansville, Ind., died at 8:45 p.m. at his home, on July 19, 2005, his birthday, after a year-long battle with cancer.
Surviving are his daughter, L. Charlene Tolbert, assistant managing editor/metro of the Courier & Press; sister, Evaline Beasley of Evansville; sister and brother-in-law, Genevieve and Al Barton of Newburgh; brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Lillie Wilhite of Newburgh; beloved companion, Pat Gwaltney; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 54 years, Stella Mae Harper Tolbert; his mother; Malisa Mayes; his brother, Beaulis Doughty, and his sister, Geneva Edwards.
He was a member of Washington Avenue Baptist Church, a 50-year member of Reed Lodge No. 316 F. & A.M.; a 50-year member of the Scottish Rite, a member of Hadi Temple Shrine and a life member and past chairman of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He was also a member of the Eugene Pate post of the American Legion.
Mr. Tolbert was a member of the 1942 class of Bosse High School, where he played football on the co-championship city and SIAC football teams.
A World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps, he served in the Iwo Jima campaign. After returning from military service, he served a tool and die apprenticeship at Servel Inc. and worked there for 14 years. He then worked with Whirlpool Corp. for 9 years. He left Whirlpool to take a job as shop manager for Custom Engineering for 9 years. He left Custom to form Delux Industries which he owned for 10 years before selling it to the present owner. He came out of retirement to take a sales position with Joachim Machinery of Indianapolis. He remained with them for 10 years then formed Tolbert's Consulting, Inc. from which he finally retired after 7 years. He also taught evening school at North High School for tool and die apprentices from 1964 through 1973.Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2005, at Boone Funeral Home, East Chapel, 5330 Washington Avenue, with Reverend Garry Lanham and Reverend Ray Harper officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, with full military rites held by the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club.
Friends were able to from 2 to 8 p.m., July 21, 2005, at Boone Funeral Home, East Chapel. Reed Masonic Lodge No. 316 held a memorial service at 7 p.m., July 21, 2005.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association, 610 E. Walnut Street, Evansville, Indiana 47708.
