Rose Somraty Thornton

Rose Somraty Thornton, 89, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026, in Collinsville, Illinois. She was born to the union of the late John Arthur Somraty, III and the late Gertrude Estell (Powers) Somraty on August 8, 1936, in Fairmont City, Illinois. She was joyfully united in marriage to her beloved husband, Dr. Charles Thornton, on August 14, 2020.

Rose graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois (SIUE) in 1974. She greatly valued education and enjoyed teaching others, especially children. She taught secondary education in science early in her career, then worked as a software developer and analyst for what is now known as the National Geo-Spatial Intelligence Agency. Later in her career, she shared ownership and served as Executive Vice President of Geo-Technical Associates, a geology-based company, specializing in mine subsidence evaluation and mitigation.

Rose’s alma mater, SIUE, was important to her and she spent many years volunteering in various capacities for non-profit organizations affiliated with the university. She served as chairperson for the Friends of Lovejoy Library and also volunteered and contributed to the Meridian Society, a charitable organization under the umbrella of the SIUE Foundation.

Another of Rose’s many interests was traveling. She was grateful to have been able to travel to her family’s heritage land of Hungary, as well as touring the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan. These places were special to her, although she made her way through much of the United States and to China and South America, as well. In addition to traveling, her family heritage and genealogy remained close to her heart. She spent years tracing her family’s lineage through numerous generations. These many interests kept her happily engaged throughout her life, but her greatest joy of all came from the time she spent with her cherished family and loved-ones.

Rose is preceded in death by her parents, John Arthur Somraty, III and Gertrude Estell Somraty of Trenton and Troy Illinois; daughter, Marie Chiste of Edwardsville, Illinois; granddaughter, Christina Marie Digby of Edwardsville, Illinois; and siblings, Mary Aegerter of Highland Illinois, John Arthur Somraty, IV of Anniston, Alabama, Thomas Somraty of Ozark, Missouri; and James Somraty of Granite City, Illinois.

Rose is survived by her husband, Charles Thornton of Collinsville, Illinois; sons, Fred (Deanna) Metzger of Hudson, Ohio and James Chiste Jr. of Collinsville, Illinois; daughter, DeAnna (David W.) Kasich of Edwardsville, Illinois; grandson, David A. (Molly) Kasich of St. Louis, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Kendalyn Rose Portz and Brayden Alexander Portz of Edwardsville, Illinois; and siblings, Lawrence Somraty of Troy, Illinois, Helene Stone of Grants Pass, Oregon, Shirley Pennock of Millstadt, Illinois, Bonnie Leffler of Worden, Illinois, Barbara Holifield of Breese, Illinois, and Candice Somraty of Troy, Illinois.

Memorial contributions may be made to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 11:00am – 12:30pm at Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 N Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208. The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation.