John F. "Johnny" Thornton

John F. "Johnny" Thornton, age 90, a resident of Goreville, and a former resident of Buncombe, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2003, at 11:38am at his home in Goreville.

He was born Dec. 7, 1912, in Goreville. He was the son of Dew & Lizzie (BRAKEBILL) Thornton.

Johnny was united in marriage to Lowanda Dalton on Sept. 19, 1936, in Metropolis. She survives.

Other survivors include his children, Dallas Glenn Thornton of Elgin, Mickey Lynn Thornton of Centralia, Donnie Joe Thornton and his wife Ruth Ann of Springfield, Jack T. Thornton and Beth McMahan of Wolf Lake, Kathy Waters and her husband Don of Marion, Rita Vaughn and her husband Jerry of Marion and Patricia Russell and her husband Steve of Goreville; 20 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Ruth Calhoun of Goreville, Edna Billingsley of Goreville, Hazel Billingsley of Elgin and Winnie McMillen of Marion; son-in-law, H. V. Trammell of Stonefort and a niece and nephew.

In addition to his parents, Johnny was preceded in death by a son, John Allen Thornton; a daughter, Sharon Kay Trammell; a daughter-in-law, Peggy Thornton; a great-granddaughter and a brother Bill Thornton.

Johnny was a lifelong farmer. He enjoyed carpentry, mechanical work and hunting, especially deer hunting.

Johnny had also worked as a store-keeper for 25 years at the Choate Mental Health in Anna, prior to his retirement.

Johnny was a member of the Cedar Grove Church, near Buncombe. He was a 50+ member of Union Masonic Lodge #627 AF & AM at Lick Creek. Johnny had also served as a trustee of the Cedar Grove Cemetery for many years.

Johnny was dedicated to his family and community, and was always willing to offer a helping hand when called upon.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 16, 2003, at 1pm at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Rev. Don Eberhart officiated. Burial was in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, near Buncombe.

Memorials may be made to the Cedar Grove Cemetery, c/o Doug Reid, 6920 Buncombe Road, Buncombe, IL 62912 or to the Hospice of Southern Illinois, 1110 N. Johnson St., Marion, IL 62959. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.