Thornton, Ralph - 1901 – 1958

DUBES, TAYLOR, THORNTON

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 9/6/2021 at 16:44:11

Last Rites Held For Ralph Thornton
Ralph Thornton, 57, passed away Thursday, Nov. 6, at University hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services were held at the Church of the Brethren at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Edward Zook, pastor of the church, officiated.
Life Story
Ralph Thornton, son of Vada and the late Henry Thornton, was born August 19, 1901, on a farm near Monroe and passed away at University hospital in Iowa City November 6, 1958, at the age of 57 years, two months and 18 days. Except for four years spent in California, his entire life was spent on farms near Monroe and Prairie City.
On December 22, 1928 he was united in marriage to Gertrude Taylor of Swan at the Little Brown church near Nashua. To this union six children were born, five of whom are living.
He was a loyal husband and an understanding father. Ralph had artistic ability and a love of beauty. Always patient and sympathetic, he was happiest when he was making someone else happy.
In May of 1936, Ralph was baptized into the Church of the Brethren. Rev. Ben Buckingham officiated at this service.
Ralph overcame the loss of his right hand, survived a serious case of blood poisoning and in later life developed leukemia. Through it all he remained brave and cheerful – his primary concern being the welfare of his family.
He leaves to mourn his death his wife, three sons, Roger, who lives near the farm home; Keith of Redlands, Calif.; and Harley; two daughters, Margery and Donna, at home; one granddaughter, Becky Rae; his mother, Mrs. Vada Thornton; one sister, Mrs. Fay Dubes of Huntington Park, Calif., and one brother, Edgar, of South Gate, Calif. With the exception of his brother who was unable to come because of illness, Ralph’s family, and his minister and wife shared his last moments.
Source: Monroe (IA) Mirror; Thursday, November 13, 1958, page 1