Jerry D. Thornton

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Jerry D. Thornton, 76 of Elkhart. died Thursday at 12:54 pm on May 21. 2009. Jerry was born on July 20, 1932 in Du Quoin. as the son of the late Kenneth and Mercie (Bourland) Thornton.

Jerry was a lifelong member of the Baptist faith. On December 29, 1951 in Osceola Ark., Jerry married the former Gracie Emery. Surviving Jerry are his loving wife of fifty-eight years Gracie Thornton of Elkhart and two sons - Kim E. Thornton of St. Louis, Mo., and Chris D. Thornton of South Bend and one brother - Tom Thornton of EIkville. Jerry was employed by Bendix Corporation in Michawaka in 1959 where he became a Senior Project Engineer charged with designing guidance systems for surface-to-air missiles. He worked for Bendix for thirty- seven years before retiring. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force in the 327th Bomb Squadron (SAC) . Jerry's squadron was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and Jerry was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After being honorably discharged From the Air Force Jerry attended and graduated From the University of Illinois after earning a degree in Electrical Engineering. Jerry was a member of the Mishawaka Pilots Club and served as a hoard Member of Airport Realty Corporation.

Funeral Services will take place on Wednesday May 27 at 2 p.m. in the Hahn Funeral Home with Rev. Kenneth Manglesdorf officiating. Burial will take Place in the Elkville Cemetery in Elkville. "The World is a better place because it was blessed by such a precious soul."

The Family requests in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made in Jerry's name to the Mishawaka Pilots Club P.O. Box 149 Osceola,. Ind. 46561.