Quentin E. Thornton, Sr., 88, of Goodman Road, Pelham, N. C. passed away on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at 10:42 a.m. at his residence. He had been in declining health since June.

Funeral services will be conducted today, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 at 11 a.m. from Pelham United Methodist Church by Pastor Larry Durham.

Interment will follow in Pelham United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family received friends at the church Wednesday prior to the services.

He was born on Nov. 16, 1920, in St. Joseph County, Ind., a son of the late Russell Thornton and Mabel Roush Thornton.

He worked for 29 years as an independent truck driver until an accident in 1969 forced him to retire.

He was a veteran of the United States Army/Air Force and a member of Pelham United Methodist Church. He was proud to be 60 percent Pokagon Indian.

He was married to Mary Esther Dolph Thornton who passed away in September 1996, and later married Nancy Reynolds Phillippi Thornton who survives.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by five daughters, Susan Dayson of Dowagiac, Barbara Ward of Niles, Johanna Thornton of California, Bonnie Thornton of New Jersey, and Christine Albert of Mississippi; two sons, Quentin Thornton, Jr. of Florida and Rex Thornton of Portland, Ore.; one brother, Eldon Thornton of Florida; four step-children, Kenneth Phillippi, II, Christina Collins, Julianna Anderson, and E. Jane Schlinke; 21 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by three sisters and seven brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pokagon United Methodist Church.

Swicegood Funeral Home of Danville, Va. is serving the Thornton family.