Donald L. Thornton Sr.

Donald L. Thornton Sr., 79, of Bartonville, Illinois, died Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 12:23 PM at the Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. He was born August 20, 1931 in McLeansboro, Illinois. He was the son of Ralph and Jennie (Walker) Thornton Jr. He married Mardell E. Peake April 1, 1951 in Peoria, Illinois. She survives. He is also survived by one daughter, Mardona (William) Shay of Peoria, Illinois and one son Donald L. (Geaneen) Thornton Jr. of Mapleton, Illinois. Two grandsons survive, Kyle Shay of Northbrook, Illinois and Kavan Shay of Chicago, Illinois. One sister in law also survives, Marlene Noll of Bartonville. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Donald worked 31 years for the Illinois Bell Telephone Company retiring in 1983. He was a former Bartonville Village Board trustee for 8 years, a former Bartonville Grade School Board member, he was a former Limestone High School Board Member for 4 years, and a member of the Telephone Pioneers. He recently attended Faith Missionary Church in Bartonville. He had previously attended the Grace Presbyterian Church of Peoria for many years.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Davison Fulton Bartonville Chapel. The Rev. Craig Hislope will officiate. A visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Burial will be at the Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria. Memorials may be made to the friends of the Bartonville Fire Department, Faith Missionary Church or to the Illinois Cancer Care . You may view Donald’s life story at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillefuneralchapel.com.