Roger L. Thornton

THORNTON, SMITH, LOUCK

Posted By: Nancy (email)
Date: 5/12/2003 at 21:32:08

April 10, 2003 – The Wapello Republican. I am not related and have no further information.

Roger L. Thornton, 72, of New Sharon, died Sunday, February 16, 2003 at Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa. A graveside service was held at Union Mills Cemetery near Union Mills.

He was born February 1, 1931, in Oakville to Lee C. and Josephine H. Louck Thornton. He graduated from Oakville High School and served in the United States Army in Alaska during World War II.

He worked for the Iowa / Illinois Telephone Co., before joining Local No. 55 Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He worked all over the country as a lineman for many years. He had lived in New Sharon for the past 25 years.

On March 14, 1998, he married Esther Smith in Oskaloosa.

He enjoyed crossword puzzles, taking his dog for truck rides, working with his CB radio and scanner, and attending North Nahaska athletic events.

He was a member of the Harry L. Anderson American Legion Post No. 34 in Oskaloosa.
Survivors include his wife, a daughter, JoEllen Foreman of Cedar Rapids; a brother, Ronald ‘Butch’ Thornton of Keithsburg, Ill.; a sister, Janet Thornton of Muscatine; three step-sons and spouses, Jack and Donna Smith, Rod and Judy Smith and Donnie and Pam Smith, all of New Sharon; two step-daughters, Connie Zimmerman of New Sharon and Cathey Smith and special friend Rick Keiser of Thompson Station, Tennessee; eight step-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert and Richard Thornton, and a step-son, Rick Smith.