Ed Thornburgh, 94

Ed Adolph Thornburgh was born December 22, 1930 in Upland, Indiana to Thurl and Ona Thornburgh. Ed went to be with Jesus on Monday, February 10, 2025, in Three Rivers, surrounded by family. He was 94 years old.

Ed was in the army where he served in Germany in the Motor Pool. Ed enjoyed his adventures with his army buddies and continued to get together with them over the years. They called it the Army Buddy Reunion.

On June 25, 1955, at Edwards Corners Bible Church in Marcellus, Ed married his lovely bride, Annetta Fay Cripps. Ed and Annetta were married 69 years. They would have celebrated 70 years this coming June. Together they raised their three children, David, Douglas, and Deborah Jill.

Ed worked several years in his brother Morgan Thornburgh’s Tool and Die business in Edwardsburg. He also worked for Swiss Valley and Corey Lake Orchards doing maintenance and mowing lawns. He enjoyed tinkering with engines and creating unique tools. Many farmers and other people would ask him to help repair items and Ed was always willing to help them out.

He enjoyed engines and actually had a large Reed Gasoline engine in his yard for many years. He would fire up that engine at different times and the entire area around Wakelee could hear it. He would take his kids to the old engine shows when they were young which was always a highlight for all of them.

Ed reconditioned an old delivery truck into a camper that he named “The Hippy Van.” He enjoyed many camping trips to Ludington and the Baldwin area. He was known by some in the area as the unofficial “Mayor of Wakelee.”

Ed and Annetta attended Wakelee Methodist Church over the years. He was a member of the “Wakelee Wood Cutters.” He enjoyed cutting wood and getting together with the guys. It was a good time of fellowship and they were happy to be able to help many people out with their winter supply of firewood.

Ed is survived by his wife, Annetta; their children, David (Tina) Thornburgh and Douglas (Shellie) Thornburgh, both of Marcellus, and Deborah (Don) Decker of Bluffton, South Carolina. Five Grandchildren and Twelve Great-Grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Toni Schiedel and Julie Bouma both nieces, as well as his Caregiver for the last two years, Rachel Temple, meant the world to Ed.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Thurl and Ona Thornburgh; his brothers, Wayne Thornburgh and Morgan Thornburgh; two sisters, Dorothy Cole and Annabell Poulsen.

There will be a celebration of Ed’s life on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Wakelee Bible Church, 15921 Dutch Settlement Road, Marcellus. Visitation will be from Noon to 2:00, with the service beginning at 2:00. Pastor Andy Abrams will be officiating.

Ed will be laid to rest at Little Fish Lake Cemetery.

Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.