Decatur Herald & Review

Woodrow "Woody" Thornton, 95, of Decatur passed away Sunday, March 13, 2011 at St Mary's Hospital in Decatur, Illinois with his family at his bedside.

Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or the Decatur Public Library History Room.

Woody was born on November 9, 1915 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of Charles and Amy (Schlosser) Thornton. He graduated from Decatur High School class of 1934 and later attended Millikin University class of 1938. He was a salesman for Curtis Publishing in his youth, and was the owner of The College Company, a manufacturer of extracts. He was a home builder and built 55 homes in Decatur. He worked for the Flint Eaton Company and Baxter Laboratory for 27 years. For the last 30 years he worked for Huff Lumber Company in Decatur, Illinois, where he was the Business Manager of the Lumber Yard. Woody was a member of Jr. Odd Fellows, the First Church of God, Central Christian Church, and Crest Haven Country Club where he once made a hole in one on the course.

He married Mary E. Hughes on September 14, 1940 in St. Charles, Missouri; she preceded him in death on April 29, 2010. Left behind to cherish his memory are his daughter; Kathy E. Thornton of Decatur, sister- in -laws; Ruth Easterling of Mt Zion, and Charlotte Mahoney of Sacramento, CA, and several nieces and nephews. Woody was greeted into Heaven by his wife of 69 years, parents, daughter; Carolyn Sue, and brother; John Martin.

Woody's family would like to thank Dr. Richard Fritz and P.A.C Nicole Stewart and staff for their support, and the staff at Imboden Creek Living Center for their kindness and care.

Obituary written by family members.