Donald W. Thornton

THORNTON, KLESNER, SMITHHART, BLEVINS, LONGWELL, MALLAMS, LUITHLY

Posted By: Skipton
Date: 1/12/2011 at 12:37:18

Donald W. Thornton, 75, of Mount Pleasant, died Friday, December 18, 2009, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Born June 10, 1934, in Burlington, he was the son of Ralph E. and Marie D. Klesner Thornton. On September 25, 1954, he married Beatrice L. Smithhart at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. She preceded him in death in June of 1995.

Mr. Thornton raised cattle and grew grain on the family farm north of Mount Pleasant. From 1956 to 1962, he served in the U.S. Army. A longtime farmer, he served on the Henry County Co-op Board for several years and was named Henry County Cattleman of the Year in 1999. He was a 1952 graduate of New London High School. He was of the Christian faith.

He enjoyed playing card games such as Pitch and 31, was an avid Hawkeye fan, and liked to watch pro wrestling and westerns on television.

Survivors include two daughters, Deb Blevins of New London, and Dawn Longwell of Ely; one brother, Larry Thornton of Mount Pleasant; two sisters, Joanne Mallams of Mount Pleasant, and Jeanette Luithly of Columbus Junction; and special friend, Shirley Dutton of Mount Pleasant; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and two daughters.

Visitation was after 1 p.m. on Monday at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mount Pleasant, where family greeted friends from 5-7 p.m.

The funeral service for Mr. Thornton was at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, with the Rev. Richard Latta officiating. Burial was in Forest Home Cemetery.

Memorials have been established for Future Farmers of America and the American Heart Association.