Submitted by: Dan Rich

Judson David Thornton

Feb. 25, 1919 - Aug. 12, 2000

South Bend Tribune 8/15/2000

Judson David Thornton, 81, of Brookton Drive, South Bend, Ind., died at 9:20 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12, in St. Luke's Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Thornton was born in a log cabin on Feb. 25, 1919, in Roundup, Mont. He retired from South Bend Tool and Die as a sales engineer.

On March 16, 1940, in Dowagiac, Mich., he married Norma Steinman of Dowagiac. She preceded him in death on Oct. 3, 1990. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Bertha (Titman) Thornton; three brothers, Eddie Thornton, Joe Thornton and Richard Steele; and by a sister, Nancy Steele. He is survived by a daughter, Diane (Larry) Padgett of St. Louis; a son, David (Vickie) Thornton of Mishawaka, Ind.; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a sister, Beverly Erickson of Arizona; and by two brothers, Jim Thornton of Mount Dora, Fla., and Russell Steele of Illinois.

Mr. Thornton was a veteran of the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion Division in World War II. He was a member of the Toastmaster Club, and was an officer in the Tool and Die Union.

Family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16, in the ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 1827 East Ireland Road. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17, in the funeral home. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac. Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Association of St. Joseph County, United Health Services, 711 E. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46617.