Obituary of LeRoy Thornton

Memorial Tribute LeRoy Matthew Thornton was born on a farm near Sanborn, IA on February 7, 1932 to Freemont “Fred” and Angie (Appleton) Thornton. He graduated from Sheldon High School in 1950. On August 4, 1953 he was united in marriage to Shirley Harms of Archer. He served two years in the United States Army during the Korean War, and upon discharge, spent his years farming near Archer. LeRoy was a long-time member of the Archer United Methodist Church, where he served on the official board and many committees. Through the years he had been active in the Onyx Lodge #419 and Coral Chapter #41 of Eastern Star at Sanborn, and the Chateau-Thierry Post of the American Legion in Primghar. He served as a director on several area boards, including the Farm Credit, Iowa Institute of Cooperatives, Sanborn Cooperative Elevator, and the Sanborn Funeral Home. LeRoy enjoyed being a member of the NW Iowa Harness Club, and spending winters at their home in Texas. He passed away at the Edinburgh Regional Medical Center in Edinburgh, TX on February 16, 2009 at the age of 77. Survivors include his wife Shirley of Archer; one son Jim and his wife Pam of Archer; one daughter Rhonda of Milford; two grandchildren: Erica Wilkinson and her husband, Kevin, and Brent Thornton; one sister Mary (Mrs. Ellis) Suby of Palm Harbor, FL and one brother George Thornton and his wife Gail of Cedar Falls, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents. A life remembered… LeRoy M. Thornton Born ~ February 7, 1932 Died ~ February 16, 2009 Age ~ 77 years 9 days Memorial Service 1:30 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2009 United Methodist Church ~ Archer, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Doris Lindley Organist ~ Pam Kobbe Soloist ~ Stan Wilkens “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” “In the Garden” “Surely, the Presence of the Lord” Pallbearers Brent Thornton Erica Thornton Wilkinson Matt Thornton Kevin Wilkinson Lowell Appleton Chad Harms Ray Millard Ushers Stan Schwartz Dudley McDowell Flower Attendants Vernon and Vione Nieuwenhuis Interment East Lawn Cemetery ~ Sheldon, Iowa Preceding the memorial service at 12:30