Donald P. Thornton

Let us pause to honor the memory of Donald P. Thornton, also known as, Don, age 80 of Valparaiso, Indiana. Entered his life on January 14, 1940 in Hammond, Indiana He was the loving son of Ralph & Ruth Pohlplatz and upon their death became the loving son of Wendell & Crystle Thornton. He graduated from Bowen High School in Chicago, IL in 1957. He graduated from Minnesota Bible College, Minneapolis, MN in 1962. He also attended the University of Minnesota. Don married Shirley Knight of Clinton, Iowa on May 28, 1960 and to this union was added Monica Ruth and Adam Blaine. Don loved the Lord Jesus Christ and witnessed to all he met. He was willing to help any one who needed help. He was best known as a friend to all, he never met a stranger. He was a minister for the Church of Christ/Christian Churches for 50 years, ministering in Iowa, Arizona, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois. He served as a chaplain for retirement and nursing homes, drove a school bus, delivered meals for CRIS, active leader in Christian camps and County meetings and was an EMT. After retirement he loved delivering communion to the shut-ins and visiting in the nursing homes and to folk who were confined to their home. He was a member of the Cross Pointe Christian Church in Valparaiso, IN. He attended the monthly meeting of Preachers & Wives who were friends for 46 years. Don was an AVID Indiana University fan especially in basketball. He lived long enough to see his beloved Cubs win the National tournament in 2016. He loved scraping early in the mornings and even took requests from people who wanted something. His great-grandchildren were the apple of his eye. His greatest dislike was drivers who never used their turn signals, he always said, When people buy a car they need to get the turn signal for one year and after learning how to use that, get the car. When Don turned 79 you never saw him without his cane made by Roy King. Don passed from this life to eternity with Jesus July 18th, 2020. Don was preceded in death by: his son, Adam; both sets of parents; his brother Ralph; sister, Bonnie Jean; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Arthur & Nancy Frondle. Surviving is: his daughter and son-in-law, Eugene & Monica Russell; his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Robert & Mary Thornton;

his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Larry and Patricia Smith; grandchildren: Matthew (Alisha) Seeley, Joshua McMurtrie, Olivia (Justin) Sowles, Dylan, Gabriel and Isaac Thornton; great-grandchildren, Nash, Jaxon, Zander, Hunter, Lane, Trinity, Vada Grace. He is also survived by several cousins and a host of friends.  Funeral services will be 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at the Cross Pointe Christian Church on U.S, Highway 6 in Valparaiso. Minister Tim Wanless will officiate. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 12 Noon until the time of services at 2 at the church. Memorials to IDES International Disaster Emergency Services in Noblesville, Indiana or he Youth Ministry of Cross Pointe Christian Church. The family is requesting that facial masks be worn during the visitation and during the service.

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