Wayne Thornton

Wayne Dalton Thornton, 88 year-old Seminole, Oklahoma resident passed from this life Friday, May 17, 2013 at Pioneer Care Center in Seminole.  He was born April 6, 1925 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to parents Mable Irene (Underwood) Thornton and John DeWitt Thornton. Wayne served in the United States Marine Corp during World War II where he earned the rank of Corporal and had served in the Asiatic Pacific Area; Solomon Island; Ryukyu Island; Marianas Island and China.  Wayne participated in action against the Japanese on Okinawa and in the occupation of China. Wayne married Shirley Herring on July 26, 1957 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Wayne worked as a Service Technician at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City before his retirement in 1983.  Then in November of 1990 the couple moved to Seminole from Midwest City. Survivors include his wife of almost 56 years, Shirley (Herring) Thornton of the home in Seminole; three daughters and sons-in-law, Davidian “Dee” Wagner and her husband Paul of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Rachel Clothier and her husband Gene of Clinton, Oklahoma, Theresa Wilson and her husband Billy of Mount Ida, Arkansas; seven grandsons; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and a host of other family and dear friends. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Nora Belle (Lasley) Thornton who died in 1956; one daughter, Faith Johnson Thornton who died in 1982; and by three sisters, Imogene Gillham, Johnece Smysor, and LaRue McCrackin. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole with Military Honors.  Pastor Brock Barrett will officiate the service.  Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Resthaven Memory Gardens located at 500 S.W. 104th & Walker Ave. in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Casket Bearers will be his grandsons, Scott Johnson, Brett Johnson, Steve Wagner, Keith Wagner, Glen Clothier, Kevin Clothier and Travis Wilson. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: May 21, 2013, 10:30 AM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel - Seminole located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868