Gene Thornton's Obituary
Gene Thornton, age 65, of Coulterville, IL, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Gene was born on September 10, 1942 in Perry County, IL, a son to Forest H. and Mildred Pauline (Kramlich) Thornton. On April 6, 1963, he married Alice Marie "Sue" Knope, in Coulterville, IL and she survives. In his lifetime, he worked at General Motors in St. Louis, MO and also at the Zeigler #11 coal mine in Coulterville, IL as a top maintence coal miner. Gene was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was a member of UMWA local 2161, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working on the John Deere tractors with his brother Jack, he was a sports fan and loved horses, but most of all he loved his family and grandchildren and will be sadly missed. Survivors include his wife, a son: Rodney (Stephanie) Thornton of Coulterville, IL, a daughter: Gina (fiancé: Bruce Gehrig) Thornton of Coulterville, IL, a brother: Jack (Joyce) Thornton of Coulterville, IL, three sisters: Madaline (Keith) Hill of Tilden, IL, Frances (Loren) Rice of Pinckneyville, IL, Sharon (friend: Marvin Buzzard) Hill of Coulterville, and four grandchildren: Dakin Jausel, Evan Cometto, Jessica Thornton, and Julianne Thornton. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home in Coulterville, IL, on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Ron Mazander and Rev. Kenneth Robinson officiating. Interment will be in Coulterville City Cemetery. Friends may call Pyatt Funeral Home in Coulterville, IL, on Sunday, April 27, 2008, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and then on Monday, from 8:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association.
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