Submitted by: Dan Rich

Wilfred Morley Thornton

July 31, 1919 - June 6, 2005

Wilfred Morley Thornton, 85, residing on East Dubail Street, South Bend, passed away unexpectedly at 12:20 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2005. He was born July 31, 1919, in Cheboygan, Michigan, as the son of Morley Forester and Gladys Hazel (Vilburn) Thornton. On October 8, 1940, in Detroit, MI, he was inducted in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged on June 17, 1945, at Fort Sheridan, IL, as a first lieutenant. He received the Purple Heart along with numerous other medals throughout his five years of service to his country. He moved to the South Bend area following his discharge from the Army.

On May 2, 1945, in Wakarusa, IN, he married Ruth Mary Bush. She preceded him in death on October 26, 1998. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Lois Olson in 2002. Mr. Thornton formerly was employed for 23 years with Reliable Dairy, Mishawaka Farmer's Dairy for eight years, and served in the maintenance department at the University of Notre Dame for nine years. He was a member of Broadway Christian Parish (UMC), served as a Boy Scout cub master for 14 years, and was a member of the Teamster's Union and V.F.W. Post #1167.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Thornton of South Bend; his son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Patricia Thornton of South Bend; and two step-grandsons, James Patrick (Marisha) Schmidt and Nicholas John Schmidt.

Services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 10, in Broadway Christian Parish (UMC), 1412 South Carroll St., South Bend. Rev. Linda Van Horn will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, and one hour prior to services Friday in the church. Contributions in memory of Wilfred M. Thornton may be made to Broadway Christian Parish (UMC).