Margaret A. Thornton

Margaret A. Thornton, 75, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away Saturday, August 17, 2013 at Jordon’s Life Care Center in Bridgman, MI. A Celebration on Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph with Rev. Dr. Christopher Noffke officiating. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 27 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to sign Margaret’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Margaret was born June 22, 1938 in Niles, MI to Henry & Helen (Sears) Wickler. She graduated from Niles High School in 1956. On February 10, 1962 she married Robert J. Thornton in Niles, MI. Margaret spent 43 years working in the banking industry starting right out of high school with First Federal Savings & Loan in Niles, MI. She then worked for Standard Federal Bank in St Joseph and completed her career with Chemical Bank as a Vice President Branch Manager in Berrien Springs. After retiring in November 1999, she and Robert moved to Fort Myers Fl after vacationing there for several years. While residing in Fort Myers, she became an avid golf enthusiast at Golfview condominiums and loved her Golfview family and friends. Margaret especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were the apples of her eye. She is survived by her son Mark Thornton of St. Joseph; grandchildren Ashley (Dane) Nelson of St. Joseph and Jacob Thornton of St. Joseph; great grandchildren Alex Hicks-Nelson, Willow Nelson and Lennon Nelson; and sister Betty (Bill) Krieg of Bremen, IN. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Thornton in June 2005, parents Henry & Helen and brothers Lee Wickler and Larry Wickler.