The visitation will be held an hour prior. Interment will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, MO with graveside services at 2:00PM. The family suggests memorial contributions to Serenity Hospice and may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences and fond memories may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.
He was born in Clinton, Missouri May 22nd 1951, the son of Kenneth and Thelma (Hoffman) Thornton. He graduated from Clinton Highschool in 1969. He joined the army in 1970, where he saw combat in the Vietnam War. He was a sharp shooter, expert marksmen, buck sergeant. He graduated from Sterling college with a bachelors degree in Business Management.
Michael married Rhonda Benson on December 30, 1973, during major blizzard. They were married for 46 years. He worked as an environmentalist/water specialist for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. He was the go to guy in the field, with over 35 years experience in utilities, there was not a lot that he didn’t know.
Michael is survived by 2 children, son Casey Thornton and wife Brandy of Harrisonville, Mo; and daughter Tiffany Ford with husband Doug Ford of Harrisonville Mo; 9 grandchildren, Sydney, Ethan, Sage, Ava, Summer, Shaugh, Bradley, Nate and Liam; 2 brothers Kenny Thornton of Belton Mo , and Doug Thornton of Warrensburg, Mo; and sister Trish Guier of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, sisters -in-law and brothers -in- law. He was particularly close to his brother -in- law Dennis Benson of Camdenton, Missouri.
Michael loved to hunt and fish. He would always take his grandkids fishing, and the older grandsons hunting. He enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports. Michael was a member of the VFW, and American Legion. He was also a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Harrisonville, MO. Michael was an avid reader, and a civil war buff. He loved his kids and grandkids, and often told the grandkids funny and spooky stories.
Michael was preceded in death by his father Kenneth Thornton, mother Thelma Thornton, brothers Ronald Thornton and Jeff Thornton.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.
He was born in Clinton, Missouri May 22nd 1951, the son of Kenneth and Thelma (Hoffman) Thornton. He graduated from Clinton Highschool in 1969. He joined the army in 1970, where he saw combat in the Vietnam War. He was a sharp shooter, expert marksmen, buck sergeant. He graduated from Sterling college with a bachelors degree in Business Management.
Michael married Rhonda Benson on December 30, 1973, during major blizzard. They were married for 46 years. He worked as an environmentalist/water specialist for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. He was the go to guy in the field, with over 35 years experience in utilities, there was not a lot that he didn’t know.
Michael is survived by 2 children, son Casey Thornton and wife Brandy of Harrisonville, Mo; and daughter Tiffany Ford with husband Doug Ford of Harrisonville Mo; 9 grandchildren, Sydney, Ethan, Sage, Ava, Summer, Shaugh, Bradley, Nate and Liam; 2 brothers Kenny Thornton of Belton Mo , and Doug Thornton of Warrensburg, Mo; and sister Trish Guier of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, sisters -in-law and brothers -in- law. He was particularly close to his brother -in- law Dennis Benson of Camdenton, Missouri.
Michael loved to hunt and fish. He would always take his grandkids fishing, and the older grandsons hunting. He enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports. Michael was a member of the VFW, and American Legion. He was also a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Harrisonville, MO. Michael was an avid reader, and a civil war buff. He loved his kids and grandkids, and often told the grandkids funny and spooky stories.
Michael was preceded in death by his father Kenneth Thornton, mother Thelma Thornton, brothers Ronald Thornton and Jeff Thornton.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.
