JOPLIN, MO —
Walter H. Thornberry, age 91, Joplin, passed away at 5:35 p.m. Monday, April 23, 2012, at the Mount Vernon Veteran’s Home.
Walter was born Nov. 29, 1920, in Wanda, Mo., to the late Virgil A. Thornberry and Ethel V. Hendrickson and had lived in the Joplin area most of his life.
He worked for the former Junge Bakery as a salesman for several years. He was a member of the Teamsters Union and the VFW. Walter was a veteran of the United States Army and served his country during World War II. He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
Walter was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Nadine, on Sept. 23, 2003.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Carolyn Thornberry in 1968; and two sisters, Genevieve Robinson and Nancy Douthitt.
Survivors include three daughters, Diana Elder and her husband, Bill, Bull Shoals, Ark., Janice Mathews and her husband, Ron, Gladstone, Mo., and Madylen Shirk, Joplin; one sister, Lenore Rhodes, Illinois; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Monday at 2:30 p.m. at Osborne Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Parker Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home or to Hospice Compassus, both in care of Parker Mortuary.
Online condolences may be made at www.parkermortuary.com
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