John Thornton

THORNTON, Mr. John - Age 61, passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10AM Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at New Heaven Missionary Baptist Church, G-3184 W. Pierson Rd., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11AM, Rev. Joseph Jenkins officiating, Dr. Fred S. White, Host Pastor. Interment Gracelawn Cemetery, 5710 N. Saginaw St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Wednesday. Mr. Thornton will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed 2-8PM Tuesday. Mr. John E. Thornton was born May 12, 1948 in Newton County, Mississippi, the son of James and Maude Thornton. John attended Boler High School in Mississippi, and Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. He was a member of New Heaven Missionary Baptist Church, where he served on the Senior Usher Board, and the Security Ministry. John was employed by General Motors Delphi as a Tradesman (tinsmith), retiring in 2004 and was a member of Local #659. He loved basketball, cooking, fishing and working in his garden. John enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends. Mr. John E. Thornton leaves to cherish his memory: loving wife, Clara Thornton; 2 sons, John E. Thornton, Jr. of New Orleans, LA and Eric (Wendy) Thornton of Mt. Morris, MI.; 3 grandchildren, Travion, Emiya and Eric, Jr., all of Mt. Morris, MI; sister, Jamie Smith of Jackson, MI; stepmother, Mary Thornton of Cleveland, OH; 4 aunts, Virgie Walsh, Q’Esther (John) McNair, Minnie Huddleston, all of Flint and Carrie Jones of Dyersburg, TN; uncle, Fred Jones of Flint; father-in-law, Clauzell (Margie) Jones of Toledo, OH; sister-in-law, Helen (William) Swift of Dyersburg, TN; 6 brothers-in-law, Eugene (Alice) Jones of Opelika, AL, Willie and Thomas Randaul, both of Dyersburg, TN, Todd, Vincent and Michael Jones, all of Toledo, OH: goddaughter, Natasha Barnett; 15 nieces; 10 nephews; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends including, special friends, Eunice Ingram, Frank Jones and Claude Patrick. Mr. Thornton was preceded in death by his parents, James and Maude Thornton; and brother, James Thornton, Jr. The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Fred White and the New Heaven Missionary Baptist Church Family, Pastor Pettigrew, Annie McGhee, and other friends.

John Thornton

May 12, 1948 - July 1, 2009