Charles A. Thornton, 79, of Anna died Monday, May 3, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 13, 1924, at Lick Creek, Ill., son of William "Bill" and Addie Lavina (Manus) Thornton. He and Betty Jane McDonald were married Dec. 30, 1945, in Piggott, Ark.

He worked 21 years for Texas Eastern, and 23 years at Anna Quarry. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church near Lick Creek, a member of the Operating Engineers Local 318 in Marion, Ill., and a 50 year member of the Union Masonic Lodge in Lick Creek, and Anna Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include his wife, Betty of Anna; two daughters and a son-in-law, Judy and Wayne Brown of Dongola, Ill., Sue Treece of Anna; a son, Jim Thornton of Lick Creek; three grandchildren, Becky and husband, the Rev. Chris Ritter, Jeff and wife, Kim  Brown and Eric Thompson; five great-grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah, Isaac, and Samuel Ritter and Jacob Brown; a sister, Lorene Barringer of Lick Creek; others relatives and many many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, William Pinkney Thornton.

Friends may call at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. A Masonic service will be held at 8 p.m. by Anna Lodge 520 AF&AM.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Andy Gillespie officiating. Burial will be in Anna City Cemetery.