Junior Burdette Thornton

Junior Burdette Thornton, age 88, of Battle Creek died peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, May 27, 2015 at the Bronson Good Samaritan Hospice Residence.

Junior was born December 21, 1926, the loving son of Levi Burdette and Helen Catherine (Hoenes) Thornton, in the family's home in Marshall, Michigan.

He attended the Marshall Public Schools, where he developed his talent for drawing. He faithfully served his country as a member of the United States Navy from 1944 through 1946. He then returned to Marshall High School and received his diploma in 1946. Junior worked for the Battle Creek Parks Department and Sun Oil Company before being employed by the U.S. Postal Service, where he retired after more than 37 years. While there, he served as a mail carrier, worked at the stamp windows and eventually became supervisor, then supervisor of the carriers. In his retirement years, he worked at K-mart in the electronics department. He always enjoyed interacting with the public, where his humor and warm personality won him many friends.

Junior married the 'Love of His Life', Frances Ann Gardner Wilber on February 9, 1947; she preceded him in death on June 22, 2006. He is survived by his daughters, Diane (Mike) Buckley and Kathy Thornton; his son, Kurt Thornton; grandchildren Marc (Lexi) Beckley, Tim (Caity) Beckley, Colleen (John) Ozment; three great-grandchildren, Miles Beckley, Jameson and Gavin Ozment and a brother-in-law, Bill Trine. Junior was also preceded in death by three sisters and a brother.

Junior was an active member of the Battle Creek First United Methodist Church for more than 60 years where he served as a trustee, church council member, chairman of the parsonage committee, head usher, and fulfilled one of his life's dreams of coaching, by leading the church softball and volleyball teams.

He also served in the Battle Creek Parent Teachers Association and on the board for the Battle Creek Historical Society. He was one of the founding members of, what is now called, the Battle Creek Regional History Museum. Junior was a member of the Indian Guides, the Toastmasters Club and the Kimball House Coffee Clatch.

His wife was concerned that the Battle Creek school children were not learning about their local history. So, in the 1980's, she and Junior gave slide presentations on the history of cereal premiums at local elementary schools.

A truly talented artist, Junior pursued his dream of becoming a professional artist through correspondence art courses in the 1950's and attending art classes at K.C.C. during the 1960's. Because of his devotion to his family and his desire that his wife remain at home to raise their children, he abandoned that art career and instead, found enjoyment through drawing and making signs as a (sometimes) money-making hobby.

He loved his adopted town, Battle Creek, but always had a connection with his hometown, Marshall, where (as he said) "the air smells of Heaven". He also carried on the family tradition of singing 'Marshall Will Shine Tonight' whenever we crossed its city limits.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 08:00 PM, on Friday, June 5, 2015 at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. A memorial service to celebrate Junior's life will be held Saturday, June 6, at 11:00 AM at the Battle Creek First United Methodist Church with Rev. Billie Dalton, officiating, with the assistance of Rev. Marshall Murphy and Rev. Scott Bouldrey. Family and friends will continue the celebration of Junior's life with a time of fellowship and a luncheon in the church's Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. A private burial service will be held at the Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to the Frances Thornton Fund at the Battle Creek Community Foundation or to the Battle Creek First United Methodist Church. Personal messages for the family and /or favorite memories of Junior may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.