Robert Thornton

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Visitation:
202 W. Maple Street Willard OH 44890 6/5/2006 14:00:00

Service:
6/6/2006 11:00:00

Robert Floyd Thornton, age 74, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2006. Robert was
a lifelong resident of Willard.
Robert was born on January 27, 1932 in Willard, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary (Boehringer) Thornton in 1979; his father, Martin Floyd Thornton, in 1986; his brother, Kenneth Thornton on March 24, 2006, and his infant brother George ‘Dickie’Thornton in 1928.
Surviving Robert are his wife Joan, whom he wed on June 28, 1952, and his children Rebecca Thornton (Mike) Mannarino of Cincinnati, Ohio; Kathryn Thornton of Willard, Kenneth Alec (Tami) Thornton of Willard; Andrew (Cynthia) Thornton of Willard; and Aaron Thornton of Willard. Also surviving are his grandchildren Rosemary (Dustin) Stewart, Nick Strance; Matthew and Jason Zawalich; Tyler, Rob and Marie Thornton; Ben, Zach and Kate Thornton; and Brandi Thornton.
Robert played for Ohio State as a center and a linebacker. He played in the 1954 Rose Bowl where they defeated Southern California for the 1954 National Championship. Robert loved the Buckeyes and the game of football. He has traveled far and wide to watch his grandsons play the game. His devotion and interest in his family had him in attendance at wrestling, volleyball, track, theatre, basketball and football games – where there was a child or grandchild, you could find Bob.
While at Ohio State, Robert was in ROTC and served in the Army at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
Robert was a 1955 graduate of Ohio State School of Law. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar Association in 1955 and joined his brother Kenneth’s law practice in 1956. He is a past president of the Huron County Bar Association and President of the Ohio Trial Lawyers in 1975.
Robert was a member of the Elks and a Past Exalted Ruler of the Willard Elks Club. A lifelong golfer, he and his wife, Joan were founding members of the Willard golf Club.
Robert was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle and will be profoundly missed by his wife and family. He was an honest man with strong values, which he passed on to his family. He never met a person he didn’t like. He loved being around people. His jokes and storytelling skills brought smiles and laughter to everyone.
Friends may call at the Secor Funeral Home in Willard on Monday June 5, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Funeral mass will be held at the St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Willard on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at 11:00 AM with Deacon Paul Jones officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Willard with military rights. Memorial expressions may be made to the Centennial Scholarship Fund, of which he was a founding member.