Rodney E. "Pat" Thornburg 1923 - 2007

THORNBURG, SEAGER, GALBRAITH, FITCH, HITE, MCKENZIE

Posted By: debbie (email)
Date: 6/4/2007 at 23:27:31

The Burlington Hawkeye
Rodney Thornburg
Rodney E. "Pat" Thornburg, 83, of Mount Pleasant died Friday, June 1, 2007, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Born Aug. 18, 1923, in rural West Point, he was the son of John Edward and Leah Mae Seager Thornburg. On Sept. 13, 1968, he married Hope Nadine Galbraith Fitch in Mount Pleasant. She died May 6, 2003.

Mr. Thornburg was first employed by Artery Terminal of Mount Pleasant, where he drove a gas delivery truck, a tow truck and was a mechanic. For a time, he also drove a semi hauling steel from Gary, Ind. He then began a long career in the carpentry and construction business. He worked for H. Eugene Smith Construction Company and also construction companies in Burlington and Mediapolis. In addition, he assisted Dick Nau with farming operations. He moved with his family as a child to Mount Pleasant where he attended school. He served in the 148th Infantry during World War II. He was a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, American Legion Robert Tribby Post 58 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2561, all of Mount Pleasant. For many years, he served on the board of directors for the Blakeway Cemetery. He made numerous grandfather clocks, spinning wheels and other furniture, and he enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include his wife; one stepdaughter, Leona Hite of Overguard, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Eugene "Cook" Thornburg of Danville; and two sisters, Mary McKenzie and Rosezella Thornburg, both of Mount Pleasant.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, one stepson and four brothers.

Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Weir & Kimzey Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, with family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m.

A service of Requiem Holy Eucharist will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Mount Pleasant, with the Rev. Wayne K. Kamm as celebrant. Burial with military honors by Henry County Honor Guard will be in Blakeway Cemetery, rural Danville.

Memorials have been established for the Henry County Dialysis Unit, St. Michael's Episcopal Church and Blakeway Cemetery Association.

Rodney Thornburg
Among Mr. Thornburg's survivors is a sister, Rozella Ford, of Mount Pleasant. He was preceded in death by his wife.