happy heavenly birthday, papa 💕 you would’ve loved your great grandbabies.

Dear Dad,
I have been thinking of you lately.  I still have suppressed memories; I guess this is because of the way you left this earth that I am being protected some how.   This year, it's been 13 years since you left us.
Our family has grown.  You would have loved your great grands.  I am sure you have been there to greet other members that have left us as they entered heaven's gates.
I wish you were here so I could share with you how to live differently and to tell you all the things I realize now.  You taught me well and I am grateful for the time that I had with you.  I have learned about embracing the Fruit of the Spirit, let love be the motto of life, and to have an attitude of gratitude.
Mom misses you terribly.  Her heart has been broken every since you left.
Thinking of you.
Til then, 
Love your daughter,
Kelle

Hi Dad, it's been a while since I wrote in this space.  I just wanted to write you a note to let you know that I miss you.  This November will be 10 years since you left us.  So much has happened in these 10 years.  You would absolutely adore your great grands.  Your grandkids are all grown up.  Til then, XOXO

I John,
I just have to have a place to tell you how much I miss you and my heart breaks not having you here.  All of our lives are so different without you in them. I want to pick up a phone and hear its I John so bad. I hope every one will know that your page is forever open to them to talk to you when they feel the need. I love you I john, give Jesus a big hug for me and tell all our love ones keep watching out for us.

Well as another year rolls around, it still hurts so much that you are not here.  I miss you so much as all of us do.  It is just to hard, you are in my heart forever, but I miss you.

Watched the video today dad from your viewing/funeral.  Seems like a million years ago, but then again it seems like yesterday.  Miss you bunches.  Until then. XOXOXO.  Will treasure the time that you were "My dad".

I john, I have been missing Jeff, you and Mom and Ray so much.  I hope and pray yall are keeping eyes on us down here, I know I need a ton of angles to watch over me....I miss and love you big bro....its me cindy

Having such a hard time missing you now the 3 musketeers are together again but it is so hard without u hope to see you on the other side I love u Johnny ray @ Jeff miss you all give ray a big hug for me

Dear I John,
I feel you was there to welcome Jeff along with Jesus and the rest of family. I miss you terribly and love you much. HAPPY FATHERS DAY...........
ITS ME CINDY

My heart is heavy with thoughts of you, I want to just sit and talk for a while, listen to music and just look at you............Miss you Johnny.....

Oh I John, I so miss you, Judy and everyone misses you. My heart breaks at the emptyness with out you here.   Forever my big brother youll be, but your face I long to see, till God calls me home, and no more will i roam till the streets of gold  and stories of old are told by the beautiful sea....And there I will rest with my family...

Words can not express the emptyness I feel even today one year later, You were so loved and we miss you so much.  a big hole in my heart.  I love you see you soon!

I lost my big brother 1 year ago . See ya later bro

I love you and miss you dad.  One year tomorrow.  God is good and we are sure thankful that God is who he says he is.

1 year ago we lost you .you were an amazing brother . Love u man

Marko and I were talking about you yesterday, how much we missed you.  He calls me now on Thursday and I remember our talks on Thursdays and I so miss you it hurts still.  I love you so!

Missing you so much, as the day nears of which you have left us for 1 year, I find myself trying to recall each precious talk we had each time I saw your face, just to hold on to you alittle longer, Love you I John..

Missing you so much, how I would love to hear your voice and just to talk, I miss so much about you big brother. Love you

I love love love the music CD that you made me.  I appreciate the songs and the CD more than ever.  The random music makes me laugh and think of you.  I know the words to "O Johnny", "Howdy Doodie", "Happy Trail", etc.  Miss you bunches-til then

Today is Thursday, and I will forever miss your call and hearing your voice.  Life moves on so fast and I miss you so much, words can not begin to express the deep wound your death has created.  I love you SIS CW

You are in my heart today as every day, but I miss you much this day. You are with Mom now and I know she is just loving you and holding you and keeping you safe and I see that big smile knowing you feel good. Love you Brother.

Well we were all wishing somehow that you would just pop in at our July 4 th party . It wasn't the same no weird brother stuff as we always did . Love you brother

Today is another day with out you here with us its July 1, 2012 in 2 more days it will be 8 months since you left, Johnny it seems like forever and yet it seems just like yesterday, there is so much that keeps you near in our hearts and mind, I love and miss you Johnny, next week end is the 4th celebration at Chrissys and just last year you was there with us, your laughter your joy and your love of life will be with us as well always forever in our hearts.

I thought of you today but that is nothing new, its just another day of me missing you, I need so much to hear your  voice your laugh and just know you are near, I miss everything about you brother dear. I know God has you in his arms and I know thats where you belong. You are missed so very much by all who love you and I know you always will be, but just wanted you to know I love you I John.

You missed a great graduation yesterday and party the day before.  Bre walked the stage proudly.  Uncle Mark made pins and we all wore then in honor of you, Grandma Hoppie, and Grandma Rachelle.  Bre also wore a cap and gown pin from your flare that you used to wear.  Think of you often and find myself observing the sky more and paying attention to creatures (birds and such) more than I used to.  We all continue to miss your presence......til then we go on.

Gee, I can't believe you have been gone for 7 months.  This saddness just will not go away, you left a big hole in my heart and life that I can't seem to repair. I miss you every day, love you so.

Like Cindy said, first year I have not heard that sweet voice saying happy mothers day.  You left such a hole in my heart, I miss you so.  Yes we have the memories, but I want you here, I am being selfish. I love you more! til then

I missed my call from you today, happy mothers day you never failed to call. I know you know how much I miss you, but I wanted to say thank you for a life time of memories of you.  There is not a day that goes by that you are not a part of it.  I love ya, I John

Can't believe it's almost been 6 months since you left us.  Bre let her Mickey balloon go in memory of you and Grandma Hoppie this morning before we left Florida.  Wish you were here so we could tell you about our trip.  Missing you.

Well I guess by now you have had another little angel join you and many of our loved ones, Grandma Hoppie.  All the pictures reminded me so of you, it was hard, and I can only imagne how hard it was for Judy, John D, Kelle.. She will be missed.  You are missed more than you can know. Love you

Mom planted a tree in memory of you a couple of months ago.  It has started to bloom, as we welcome another season; however, this one is different because it is without you.  Life is strange how it comes and goes.  Hardly a day goes by that there is not a memory of you that crosses my mind.

Another month has gone by, I miss you so much.  Each day I want to hear your laugh or you tell me a joke and especially to have you call to just see whats up.  This ache will never go away. I love you.

As the months pass, I keep expecting your call. O how I miss you brother!

Even sitting watch sports on tv just ain't the same. Knowing how much u loved football and sports in general . I love u brother .

You are on my mind so very often, can not begin to say how much I miss you.. I can't seem to get past loosing you.

I sure miss u............................

JOHNNY "TORTILLA"! I LOVE YOU JOHNNY & MISS U DEARLY! YOUR MY "BEST FRIEND"! I CANT WAIT 2 C U AGAIN! I LOVE U & THX 4 ALL YOU HAVE DONE 4 ME AND COUNTLESS OTHERS! TILL THEN! LIL MARK WITH A BIG HEART!

Found a couple of pictures on my camera from the last Christmas at Timmy's so glad to find them, but how sad you are not with us.  I miss you so.

Well another week goes by, still hurting, wishing this was a bad dream.  I miss you.

Seems I keep trying to make sense of loosing you, but this is so hard.  Every day I expect your call or think I should call Johnny.  I miss you so.

Just been waiting to see if if was'nt real.Bday's past and no party for you so I guess i need to try and wake up.We all miss u so much .no day goes by without a thought of you and Judi and the kids.Wish we all knew why but next time we see you it won't matter Love ya Bro.

Today was a BLAH day!  You know the type, the feeling that something is missing.  I felt symptoms of sadness and guilt.  I read that there are 5 stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance).  I am not sure which stage that I am at today.  I learned that grief is emotional suffering one feels when someone they love is taken away.  The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief.  It takes time to deal with grief.  Grief depends on many factors, including one's personality and coping style, one's life experiences, one's faith, and the nature of the loss.  Losing you was a pretty significant loss.  I am just lost trying to make since of this dad.  My heart continues to ache.  I know God is in control.  I find comfort knowing God is...who he is...and that you are with our maker.

THis would have been your 64th birthday, I still can not believe, I will not see your smiling face, hear you laugh and talk to you again.  I miss you so much, words can not describe the hurt.  I love you so.

I love this picture of my dad.  I miss him.

Dear I John,
I cannot begin to say how very much my heart is breaking at the thought of not having you here to wish happy new year or happy birthday or any other day just to talk. My mind is still in disbeleif even though I know you not here in the person, I sure miss you my brother. You have forever changed our lives while you was with us and even more that you are gone. I love you.

My first Christmas in my 54 years without my big brother to add strangeness to the party.We did miss you so much and will forever miss those fun times.We will see you and Mom together someday so til then we love you .I bet Christmas up there was kinda cool Huh.

No Christmas will ever be the same, since you are not here! My heart is so heavy these days and I just can't seem to shake it.  Tell Mom and Ray we miss them too!

Well this was the first year ever that you did not wish me a Happy Birthday and sing for me Oh how I miss you.

Well I John, we miss you so much. We was with Judy and Kelle yesterday at old town spring and we talked about you, and I find everyone is still in disbeleif that you are not here physcally, I am so glad I am not the only one. Johnny I miss you so much. Our talks about everything. how I wish I could talk to you now. Christmas is here on us and God how you are missed. You are spending Christmas this year with Jesus so I can not imagaion how beatiful it is. Love and miss you.

Thinking of you so much this past week, so many times, I reach for the phone to call you, I saved your voice mail message just so I can forever hear your voice, I miss you so much, sis cw

Looking at kelles picture of our last t day with you was so cool.so many generations and families in one picture but there one missing this year and we all sure do miss you.love ya bro .mark

Thanksgiving brought family together, but without you there to say gobble, gobble it was not the same.  I miss you so!

Dad, we missed you at Thanksgiving.  The photo below was your last Thanksgiving with us.

Today is Thanksgiving and I was blessed to have a dream about you, and it was awesome. I miss you Johnny and I know I can not begin to know how much Judy Kelle John and kids miss, you but just wanted you to i love you and i ate as much as i could for you mainly desserts.  Love you always has always will

Hi brother.this year ain't the same.we all miss u.turkey extreme croquet won't be as extreme.love u man .ur brother mark

just thinking about you uncle Johnny...gonna miss playing games after Thanksgiving dinner this year! really missing your smiles and laughter...love you!

love you papa. not a day goes by that i dont think about you!

You were on my mind this morning, I miss you so much.  You left to soon without time to give you one more hug and kiss.  I love you! sis CW

Dear I John,
I miss you more than anyone could possible know. I miss your calls, our talks and God I miss your laugh. I want this nightmare to end and you be here. I know that is very selfish but I do. I love you and will always miss you. Your sis, Cy

Dad, thinking of you.
Me and mom got our pennies.
Thanks for the moon last Friday night.

Judy and Kelle, my heart goes out to you and your family.  There are no words for the sorrow I know you are feeling at the loss of this wonderful man in your life.  I will always smile when I think of him calling me Shanana when I was a knobby kneed little kid :-)  I love you both and am thinking of and praying for you all during this difficult time.

After reading this evening....I was once again reminded of just how Awesome our God is and always will be. I remember in my early days of recovery, Isaiah 6:8 was just one of John's favorite verses....Of course this was after my mind was clear and ready for me to accept:
 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
 I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
 The Lord sent John into 100's of lives if not more, and I am just one whom he touched, along with my family in a very powerful way. John you will be missed dearly.....We will see one another again very soon.....And the Lord said:
 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together.

A good man. Always there for you. Never judging...always loving. You were a good friend dear John and I will miss your kind heart.

I am so heart broken about the death of such a good friend. I can still hear his laugh and hope this stays with me until we meet again. So sad I couldn't be there to say good bye. Love you John :(

Uncle Johnny; you will always be in my heart.  Your laugh is like no other that is what I will remeber the most!  I am sure, as we are all heading through the pearly gates, I will know your in line with me when I hear your cackle and see your smiling face.  I could not have asked for a more sweet and caring uncle.  I will miss you.

 Dianna Carter (Boston)

Thank you for saving my life and I have  always been thankful you were my Uncle and someone I could count on.  Please give Dad a big hug for me and we will see you again.  

My love always to the ones that remain and remember that he is still with us.

Thank you for your faithfulness in calling me after Marc passed away.  Your last email to me was on November 2.  I'll always remember your love and appreciation for all Jesus did for you.  I'll miss your colorful attire, even though it did become more subdued in your latter days.  I look forward to seeing you as part of my welcoming committee in Heaven, where we will all be free from all pain and enjoy the fullness of all Our Father has prepared for us.  Bev Finger

Praying God will give comfort and peace to all. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Our dear sweet old friend. You will forever be in our hearts with memories from the past. Rest in peace until we meet again.

Don't know what I'm going to do without you. You saved my life ten years ago and I loved you like a brother.  You're in God's hands now John and for that I'm glad.

John, your childlike outlook on life was so refreshing.  May you now be at peace.  I will continue to keep your family in my prayers that God bless them and keep them near.

To the Thornton family, may God bless you and comfort you during this difficult time. Your John was loved by so many many people. He was an amazing friend who never failed to make me smile and appreciate life a little more. John, I know you are with our heavenly Father now. May you rest in peace, till then.

May you still continue to light up the world!

You will truly be missed by so many...we are so grateful, you played an important part of our lives and the lives of so many others...in this journey We know our paths will cross again...love Herb and Elly

John thank you for helping save our country.  You will be greatly missed around the group.  Keep a close watch on us and protect us as now you feel the duty of our almighty God.  We have seen happiness and freedom in your life which tells us everything is not always bad.
Randy & Patty

John, Thank you for just being you. You may of left this earth, but I will never forget you and the laughs and tears we shared. My thoughts and prayers go out to all your loved ones. I know that we were put in each others path for a reason and for that I am grateful. Peace

John, during the short amount of time that I knew you, you gave me inspiration and hope. Your were a great guy and joy to be around. May you rest in peace my friend, your spirit lives in those who knew you. God Bless.

Uncle Johnny you will be missed so much! You always had that infectious smile & a way of making us all laugh...you were there when any of us needed you for anything and you gave the best hugs! I know you are finally at peace, and am thankful that daddy and grandma were there to welcome you...I just wish we could've had more time with you...I miss and love you so much, Chrissy

Our thoughts and prayers are with you al thought this sad trying time.  May our Lord and Savior comfort you.  
Love James & Marilyn Boston

romans chapter 8    I know GOD receives johnny with open arms and lifts his soul from this world to his kingdom where he is restored.

All the years as your big sister, I felt I had to protect and keep you safe.  You loved deeply and when you lost a loved one or friend you carried them in you heart, the pain seemed to cut like a knife and you could never let it go.  You were a part of my heart and it will never be replaced. I love you so much. your big sister, Carolyn

May your heart and soul find peace and comfort.  Your infectious smile will be deeply missed.

John, you were such a good friend to my family, and I was honored to be your friend.  I will miss you and may you bring your love and laughter to your Heavenly Father.  My condolences go out to your family. God Bless.

Christie, King, Brandon & Camden Molinet

John, you showed me it was OK to laugh again when I had forgotten how. It won't be the same without you, but I know you are still going to live on inside our hearts and fond memories...

 Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We love you all!  Colleen, Pete and John

Praying God's Comfort and Peace for all of you.

To my big brother .I miss u so much already.when u see mom give her a big hug  for all of us .I love brother .your little brother mark.

OBITUARY

John A. Thornton

January 3, 1948 – November 3, 2011

Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home and Cemetery

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