Douglas Thornton

Douglas Thornton, 83, Elkhart, passed away on January 15, 2014. Doug was born in Montreal, Canada on January 15, 1931, to Douglas Cable Thornton and Mabel Chaplin Thornton, who preceded him in death. He was brother to Thomas Chaplin Thornton, also now deceased.

Doug grew up in Montreal , Canada and moved to Detroit MI where he finished high school and went on to attend Walsh Institute of Accountancy. In 1952 he was called to serve his country in the US Army as a chemical weapons specialist in Panama during the Korean War. He served through 1954 and received a National Defense Service medal. After his time in the service, Doug was proud to gain his citizenship to the United States in 1954. 1954 was also the year he met his wife, Katherine Mavroganes. They married on September 24, 1955.
Doug and Katherine moved to Elkhart in 1965, where he had a long career in business and community service. He retired as an assessor with the Elkhart County Assessor’s Office, and up to his death served on the county’s Appeals Board. He was a long time member of the Elkhart Noon Exchange Club where he held many roles, including President.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Katherine, 3 children – Janet (Craig) Bennett of South Bend, Carol (Steve) Dierckes of Carmel, IN and Christopher (Julie) Thornton of South Bend, and 11 grandchildren – Daniel, Megan, Brittany, Zachary, Kelly (Jeff), Michael, Christopher, Jack, Lincoln, Allison, Talia.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at Stemm-Lawson- Peterson Funeral Home, with a memorial service immediately following. Entombment will be at Rice Cemetery at a later date with Military Honors.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Elkhart Center for Hospice Care. Information may be obtained at www.foundationforhospice.org. Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.