Mary Margery Thornton, 87, died peacefully March 3, 2018 at Mercy Hospice House in Cedar Rapids, Iowa surrounded by her family.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 6 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson with Rev. Julie Poulsen of First United Methodist Church officiating. Casket bearers were Dan Shell, William Berg, Greg Dewey, Ryan Nelson, Dennis Wilkins and Alan Jackson. Honorary casket bearers were Jocely Nelson, Lily Pohlman, Sophie Pohlman, Caroline Pohlman, William Berg, Jackson Berg, Grant Shell, Dillon Shell, Henry Nelson and Patrick Nelson. Danille Curtis was the pianist and soloist performing “In The Garden,” “On Eagle’s Wings,” Postlude, “I Believe In The Sun” and “You Raise Me Up.” Interment was at Jefferson Cemetery in Jefferson.
Mary M. Thornton, always known as Marge, was born August 10, 1930 in Ralston, Iowa to Mary Elizabeth Hennen Wilkins and Charles Winfield Wilkins.
Marge served customers part-time at United Foods and then full-time for 30 years at Brenton Bank. After retiring, she worked many other part-time jobs until the age of 80. She really enjoyed card games, bowling, dancing, watching basketball and her family. Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her favorite part of life.
In 1949 she married Wayne R. Thornton. They were the parents of two daughters, Carolyn Barnes (Bob) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Judy Shell (Brian) of Urbandale, Iowa.
Marge is survived by her daughters, Carolyn and Judy; six grandchildren: Stacy Pohlman of Marion, Iowa, Laura Berg (William) of Parker, Colo., Ryan Nelson (Jo) of Smyrna, Ga., Gwen Shell of Santa Monica, Calif., Katie Shell Dewey (Greg) of Urbandale and Dan Shell (Jen) of Clive, Iowa; ten great-grandchildren: Jocely Nelson, Henry Nelson, Patrick Nelson, Lily Pohlman, Sophie Pohlman, William Berg, Jackson Berg, Grant Shell and Dillon Shell; as well as nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.
Marge was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Charles; her ex-husband, Wayne; two brothers, Harry Wilkins and Rusty Wilkins; and three sisters: Helen Sibaugh, Mildred Sexton and Louise Reichow.
In lieu of flowers, the family will be donating memorials to Dementia Society of America. Online condolences may be left at www.sliningerschroeder.com.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, 515-386-2171.