John Tolle mourned

DOWNEY - Downey resident John Tolle passed away from Parkinson's disease and old age on Nov. 9.Born Aug. 6, 1915, he grew up in Abingdon, Ill., working many different jobs from an early age. He moved to California in 1945 after meeting the love of his life, Helen Tolle, to operate Tolle Food Service located in the Alcoa Aluminum Plant in Vernon. He ran TFS with Helen until his retirement at age 69. John was a longtime member of the Downey community, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels for 20-plus years. Helen passed away April 10, 2010 after 65 years of marriage. "Her loss was devastating for him, but he continued to face life and Parkinson's disease with an inexorable positivity that everyone who knew him appreciated immensely," family members said. Services for John were held Nov. 14. He was interred next to Helen at Rose Hills Cemetery. He is survived by a daughter, Jo Ann Bramble. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his first-born daughter, Elaine Simpson; son-in-law, John Bramble; granddaughter, Jennifer Sinclair; grandson, Steven Bramble; and sister, Jo Ann Zenisek.

********** Published: Nov. 28, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 33