Leonard E. Thornton

Leonard E. Thornton, 93, of Crystal River, FL, passed away on Mon., Nov. 18, 2013 at Hospice House in Lecanto, FL. A native of Byrnside, W. Va., he was born Jan. 29, 1920 and served in the U.S. Army overseas during WWII, earning a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. Mr. Thornton was an electrician by profession at American Car and Foundry, Huntington, W.Va. Leonard was an accomplished musician of many instruments; especially several types of guitars, the mandolin, and the fiddle. He was a member of the Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church, Crosslanes, W. Va. and had lived in Crystal River since 1992, arriving from Huntington that year. Mr. Thornton is survived by daughter Diann Cyrus (husband Ernest), Groveport, OH; daughter Paula Bias, Crystal River; son Jeffrey Thornton (wife Donna), Lecanto, FL; brother Howard Thornton and sister Catherine Coyner, both of Franklin, OH; sister Edith Johnson, Middletown, OH and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Leonard was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Ina Elsie Thornton, on Nov. 22, 2011 and twelve siblings. Graveside services will be held on Fri., Nov. 22, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Hospice of Citrus and The Nature Coast, P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34465. Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, FL. www.wilderfuneral.com