FRANKLIN EARL THORNHILL, age 80 years, a resident of Montrose, WV departed this life Wednesday morning, September 21, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family and under the care of Mountain Hospice.
He was born Sunday, November 16, 1930 at Montrose, WV a son of the late Samuel and Alleta Canfield Thornhill. On September 29, 1951 at Baltimore, MD he was married to the former Betty Lou Myers, who survives. They had celebrated fifty-nine years of marriage. Also surviving are one son, Randy Thornhill and wife Cathy, Montrose; two daughters, Kim Close and husband Jim, Montrose; Linda Collette and husband Bob, Hambleton; one brother, Kenneth Thornhill and wife Juanita, Hampton, VA; two sisters, Naomi Elyard, Catonsville, MD; Dovie Perks and husband Everette, Canton, OH; seven grandchildren, Chris; Angie; James; Justin; Joe; Ryan; and Josh; five step grandchildren, Brian; Robert; William; Richard; and Johnetta; and seven great grandchildren, Valerie; Brittany; Cheyenne; Jacob; Kayden; Nicholas; and Lacey.
Preceding him in death are one son, Franklin Keith Thornhill; one brother, Brooks Thornhill; and one step great granddaughter, Abigail.
He attended the schools of Montrose, was a former employee of the Allegheny Lumber Company, the Elkins – Randolph County Senior Center and retired from the Parsons Shop-N-save during February 2011. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed car rides with his family and friends and train rides.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 PM, Saturday. Final Rites will be conducted at the funeral home chapel, Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 1:30 PM. The Rev. A. H. Belt and the Rev. William “Bill” Hardy will officiate and interment will follow at the Mountain State Memorial Gardens at Gilman, WV.
