Don "Red" E Thornton's Obituary
Don "Red" Thornton Obituary
Columbus Grove Don E. "Red" Thornton, 83, died at 7:53 a.m. Dec. 16, 2011, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima. He was born Jan. 12, 1928, in Columbus Grove to Jesse and Alice Stevenson Thornton, who preceded him in death. On Jan. 18, 1947, he married Dolores Tschudy, who survives in Columbus Grove. They would have celebrated 65 years of marriage in January. Mr. Thornton was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His life was a testimony of faith, family, hard work and a sense of humor. He was loved and cherished by all. He worked as a supervisor at The Ohio Steel Foundry/Teledyne Ohio Steel for 40 years and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II. He belonged to the American Legion/Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard of Columbus Grove and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 464 of Columbus Grove. He attended Lima Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed his buddies at Jerry's Marathon. Survivors also include two sons, Don (Susan) Thornton, of Columbus, and David (Sheila) Thornton, of Columbus Grove; a daughter, Laura (Don) Clevenger, of Columbus Grove; eight grandchildren, Elisa Clevenger, Stacy (Steve) Butcher, D.J. (Amy) Clevenger, Melissa (Jeremy) Masters, Emily (Andy) Busch, Michael Thornton, Jessica Baker and Justin (Alicia) Thornton; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Thornton, of Pandora. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Marvin, Edward and Richard Thornton; a sister; Helen Adair; and a great-grandson, Kenney Redd Thornton. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove. The Rev. James Mason will officiate. Burial will follow in Truro Cemetery with military rites by the combined color guard of American Legion Post 516 and VFW Post 9648, both of Columbus Grove. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rita's Hospice or Lima Community Church of the Nazarene Missions.
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