Submitted by: Dan Rich

Harry W. Thornton

June 1, 1920 - Dec. 12, 2002

South Bend Tribune 12/14/2002

Harry W. Thornton, 82, of South Bend passed away on Dec. 12, 2002, at Memorial Hospital. He was born on June 1, 1920, in Pontiac, Mich., to Chester and Lillian (Nelson) Thornton.

On May 1, 1958, in Marquette, Mich., he married the former Ruth Gustafson. Harry was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth in 1997 and by his daughter, Judy Smith in 1996. He was also preceded in death by his five sisters, Myrtle McLain, Hazel Gawne, Lottie Wenino, Marie Chilson and Helen Rich; and by his four brothers, Henry Clark, Harold Clark, Howard Clark and Arthur Clark. Survivors include a son, Harry (Sandy) Thornton Jr. of LeRoy, Mich.; three daughters, Susan (Tony) Millican of Florida, Anne (Edward) McCollum of South Bend and Joan (David) Frame of South Bend; a stepson, Wayne (Connie) Koski of South Bend; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a special friend, Margaret Piechocki.

Harry had been a member of Masonic Lodge #45 since 1951 and was also a member of VFW Post #360 and American Legion Post #308. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and family get-togethers and never missed a horse show.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 16 in the Forest G. Hay Funeral Home with burial following in Southlawn Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday in the funeral home.