Dec. 19, 1971 -- July 29, 2003

Michael D. Thornton Jr., 31, of Mishawaka, Ind., died Tuesday, July 29.

He was born in South Bend, Ind., to Michael D. and Lee Ann (Brady) Thornton. Mike grew up in Mishawaka and graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1991. On Feb. 5, 1993, he married Toni Ann Romeo, and they made their home in Mishawaka.

Michael was an electrician working for Robison Electric, Blackthorn Electric and Garman Electric. He was a member of IBEW Local #153 and served on their negotiating committee. Mike was also a member of the American Legion Squadron #161. He was excellent at darts, enjoyed disc golfing, and was the world's biggest Led Zeppelin fan. Most of all, he was a loving father and husband.

His surviving family includes his wife, Toni; two sons, Christopher Michael Thornton and Patrick Romeo Thornton; his parents, Mike and Lee Ann Thornton; a brother, Shawn P. Thornton; a sister, Michele A. (Nicholas) Hartley; a grandfather, Leland Brady; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Joanna Romeo; and by many nieces and nephews.

Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents, Gerald F. and Bettie M. Thornton, and Ruth Ann Brady.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Aug. 1, in St. Monica Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind.

Memorials donations may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County or to the Thornton family. The family is being served by the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, 503 W. Third St., Mishawaka.