Ray D. 'R.D.' Thornton

Nov. 13, 1937 - Feb. 12, 2010

OBERLIN -- Ray D. "R.D." Thornton, 72, died Friday (Feb. 12, 2010) at Decatur County Good Samaritan in Oberlin.

He was born Nov. 13, 1937, in Nampa, Idaho, to Orval E. Thornton and Hazel L. McDonald. He grew up on a farm near Norcatur and graduated from Norcatur High School in 1955. He entered the U.S. Navy and served on an Amphibious Squadron.

On July, 22, 1960, he married Eunice Castle in Norton. He lived in Norcatur and was the Fertilizer Manager at Morrision-Gregg-Mitchell in Norcatur before moving to Oberlin.

He was a member of United Methodist Church, UMC Board of Trustees and Norcatur Commercial Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice in 2002; his parents, Orval and Hazel Thornton; one daughter, Lori Towery; one sister, Mary Jane Miller; one nephew, Randall Mullins; two nieces Barbara J. Miller and Sandra Kennis; one great-nephew, Joel Miller and one great-niece, Heather Keltner.

Survivors include one son, Ray Thornton Jr. and wife, Jennifer of Hays; three daughters, Lisa Leichliter and husband, Rod of Seibert, Colo., Lynette Streit and husband, Ralph of Larned, Chris Dempewolf and husband, Doug of Norcatur; one brother, Dean Thornton and wife, Eloise of Rush Center; one sister, Lavergne Allmer and husband, Don of Madera, Calif.; and nine grandchildren.

Memorial services are Tuesday, 2 p.m., at Pauls Funeral Home of Oberlin with the Rev. Doug Hasty officiating. Interment to follow at Norcatur Cemetery.

Visitation is today, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Tuesday, 8 a.m. until service time.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.

Pauls Funeral Home of Oberlin is in charge of the arrangements.