F.E. Thornburg Jr.

He was born August 5, 1925, in Iredell County to the late Farnum Edward Thornburg, Sr. and Essie Sigmon Thornburg. F.E. was a Loving Husband and Father. F. E. established RFG Enterprises, in Conover and retired from Carolina Mills after 46 years of service and he was a member of First United Methodist Church in Newton. He was a US Army veteran of World War II, having served from 1944 to 1946 in the 350th Reg. Co. D, 88th Div in Italy. He was a member of the 88th Div Blue Devils, and a life member of the Lincolnton VFW. He had also served in the National Guard in Newton for 18 years. He loved hunting pheasants in Iowa, Arizona, South Dakota, Nebraska, as well as bear hunting in Canada. He loved his time of fellowship with his hunting family at his Annual Catfish Stews.

In addition to his father, Farnum Edward Thornburg, Sr., and mother, Essie Sigmon Thornburg; F.E. was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Herman, and son-in-law, Brian Roseman.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Mary Catherine Clapp Thornburg; sisters, Polly Kelly and Marlene Dellinger; sons, Edd Thornburg and partner, Stann Gwynn; and Steve Thornburg and wife, Libby; daughters Jennifer Thornburg Roseman, and Nikki Thornburg-Lanigan and husband, Michael; grandchildren, Kerri Thornburg Dillard and husband, Jason, James Winstead, and Zack Winstead; great-grandson, Cole Dillard; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2014, in the chapel of Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home in Newton, NC. Rev. Fred Thompson, Mr. Kevin Laney, and Father Frances Perry will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the Thornburg’s home following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to www.woundedwarriorproject.org; Vietnam Veterans of America, 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910; or Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.