Mildred Thornton

**Mildred Thornton**, 87, of Versailles passed away Thursday, April 2, 2009 at the Ripley Crossing in Milan. She was born at Hamilton, Ohio on October 24, 1921 the daughter of Clinton and Emma Gratiney Huffman. She was married to Noah Thornton on July 24, 1939 and he preceded her in death on June 3, 1989. Survivors include four sons, John (Ellen) Thornton of Versailles, Bill (Ann) Thornton of Kokomo, Richard (Mary Ellen) of Adel, Georgia, Jerry (Kathi) Thornton of Milan; two daughters, Sandra (Gary) Hale of Henderson, Colorado, and Janise (Charlie) Blitch of Tampa, Florida; 12 grandchildren Bo, James, Jeff, Andy, Samantha, Rick, Johnnie, and Nancy Thornton, Nathan Hale, Heather Schwagmeier, Tim Ryan, and Tina Ashe, and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother Clyde and her sister Deana. Mrs. Thornton was a homemaker and a member of the North Vernon Seventh Day Adventist Church. She was a community leader in her church at Zephyr Hills, Florida and Deer Lodge, Tennessee. Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 5 at 2pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Pastor Manny Ojeda and Pastor Gary Case officiating. Burial will be Monday at Collinsville, Ohio. Visitation will be Sunday from 12pm until time of services. Memorials may be given to the activities fund at Ripley Crossing or the Ripley County Humane Society.