Dale R. Thornton

Dale R. Thornton, age 63 of Sanford died at his home on Monday, August 1, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer.

The son of Hiram David and Dorothy M. (Drew) Thornton was born August 5, 1947 in Midland and graduated from Meridian High School in 1965. Dale served with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War on the USS Hornet. He was involved in the recovery of Apollo 11 and 12, where he met the astronauts. He worked at Fisher Body in Flint for thirteen years then moved to Sanford in 1977. As a skilled laborer he learned the art of sheet metal at an early age, began working for J.E. Johnson as an apprentice and retired as a journeyman crew leader after 27 years, in 2009.
Dale enjoyed fishing, hunting, horseback riding, gardening and was an avid outdoorsman.

He is survived by his wife, Christine M. (Mikovits) whom he married on April 23, 1994; sons, David (Daniel Guerincy)Thornton of Madison, Tennessee, Brent Thornton of Sanford, Ryan Thornton of Sanford; daughter, Kari (Steve) Bohn of Unionville; grandchildren, Victoria Thornton, Stephanie Hegland, Hunter Bohn, Kylie Bohn Ahnalea Thornton; parents, Dave and Dorothy Thornton of Sanford; sisters, Jean Harris of Rhodes, Patricia (Mark) Baringer of Sanford, Barbara Boman of DelRay Beach, Florida, Ellen (Dan) Bisel of Estey.
He was predeceased by his mother in law, Joyce Mikovits.

Funeral services for Dale will be conducted at noon, Saturday, August 6, 2011 from Wilson MILLER Funeral Home with Jerry Beebe, Lay Minister of St. Agnes Catholic Church officiating. Interment will follow in Sanford Cemetery. Military rites will be under the auspices of the Midland Area Veterans and the U.S. Navy Funeral Honors Guard. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday from 2-8 pm and on Saturday from 11:00 am until the time of service.
Memorials may be offered to MidMichigan Home Health Care (Hospice).