Wilma Thornton

PITTSFIELD, Ill. -- Wilma K. Thornton, 85, of Pittsfield, formerly of rural Ursa, passed away at 4:10 a.m. Friday (Aug. 29, 2014) in the Barry Community Care Center in Barry.

Wilma was born on Oct. 6, 1928, in Sutter, to the late George and Bertha Wollbrink Altheide. She married Donald Thornton on July 14, 1951, in the Bethel Assembly of God Church in Quincy. Donald died Sept. 24, 2011.

Wilma worked for Illinois Bell as a telephone operator for 13 years. She and her husband, Don, owned and operated Thornton's Orchard for many years. They raised and sold strawberries in their later years. They looked forward to strawberry season and enjoyed going to the farmer's market.

Wilma loved going to trapshoots and going trout fishing with the family. They enjoyed many years of family outings.

Surviving are two children, Janne (David) McCleery of Rushville and Jim (Kathie) Thornton of Pittsfield; and three grandsons, Brock and Neil Thornton and Jason McCleery. She was very proud of her grandsons.

She was preceded in death by three brothers and two half-sisters.

SERVICES: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, in Bethany Cemetery in Tioga with the Rev. Lee Amsler conducting.

VISITATION: 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, in the Hunter Funeral Home in Mendon.

MEMORIALS: Pittsfield Assembly of God Youth Group.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: www.hunterfh.com.

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