Michael Mike Eugene Thornton

Michael Eugene Thornton, 61 of Scottsbluff, Nebraska passed away Friday, May 4, 2012 at his home with his family by his side. His memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeffrey Grams officiating. A private family inurnment will be at Sunset Memorial Park. A memorial has been established to the family. Mike was born on September 15, 1950 in Scottsbluff to Glen Thornton, Jr. and Betty Jean (Reeves) Thornton. He graduated from Morrill High School in 1968. He married Debra Ann Stoeger on February 28, 1969 in Torrington and two children were born to this union, Michelle and Troy. He later married Becky Brooks on January 24, 1997 in Scottsbluff. Mike worked at Kelly Bean in Morrill, later he worked at the Sugar Factor during campaigns. Mike was a carpenter at heart. He enjoyed his carpenter work and could fix anything. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he loved to go to church. He was very active in square dancing groups in the valley (Pairs n Half Pairs in Gering). He enjoyed attending musicals if it was at the college, high school or church. He also loved to go to coffee at Arby’s to fellowship with others and sharing the word of the Lord. Mike didn’t know a stranger and would help anyone who needed it. He loved his family, especially his grandkids they were his love of his life. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his wife Becky Thornton of Scottsbluff; brother Robert A. (Darlene) Thornton of Mitchell; daughter Michelle Dalton of Torrington, WY; son Troy Thornton of Scottsbluff; step daughters: Debra Carmichael (fiancé Doug Warner) of Kearney, Theresa (Mitch) Troutman of Danbury, NE, Pamela (Aaron) Russell of Kearney and Brenda Thompson of Tucson, AZ; 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Penny Underwood.