Dennis Paul Thornton (1961-2016)

THORNTON, COADY, CARTER, KOWALSKI, CHRISTIE, GRAY

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 12/3/2016 at 16:44:27

From Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, Southhaven, Michigan.

Dennis Paul Thornton, 54, of South Haven, passed away Monday, November 7, 2016 at the Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born December 28, 1961 to Donald and Elizabeth (Coady) Thornton in Nevada, Iowa. Dennis graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s Degree and completed the GM fellowship at the University of Michigan to obtain his Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He married Gloria Carter on December 30, 1987 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He retired from Trelleborg Vibracoustic in 2016. He loved spending time with his family, traveling, playing poker and was an avid outdoorsman.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years – Gloria Thornton, children – Kelli (Jim) Kowalski of Wilmington, North Carolina, Kodi Thornton of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Jeff Thornton of Wilmington, North Carolina, three grandchildren – Cora, James, and Anna, and siblings – Debbie (John) Christie of Gilbert, Iowa, David Thornton of Des Moines, Iowa, Diane (John) Gray of Altoona, Iowa, Donna Thornton of Zearing, Iowa, and Danny Thornton of Iowa. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be held from 3:00-5:00 pm on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 14, 2016 at the St. Basil Catholic Church with Father Jim Morris officiating. Dennis will be laid to rest in Monks Cemetery in Geneva Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dennis’ memory to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, Illinois 60674.