Virgelene Thornton Obituary

Virgelene Coy (Yeakle) Thornton, 89 of Midland, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 21, 2024 at Stonecrest Assisted Living. She was born to the late Merrill and Thelma (Shauger) Yeakle on August 17, 1935 in Midland, MI. She married the love of her life Chester Paul Thornton on May 19, 1956 and they shared sixty-eight loving years together.
Virgelene loved attending church, crafts, knitting, reading Amish books, traveling, camping at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp and being with her family and friends. She worked at Hawkins Printing before marriage. She was a stay at home mom, after the girls were in school she continued her career working at The McKay Press. After retirement, Virgelene and Chester enjoyed being snowbirds in Florida and Arizona, taking many Jag bus tours. She was Church secretary for many years, taught Sunday school and was involved with The Nazarene Prime Timers.
Virgelene is survived by her husband; Chester Thornton, children; Brenda Mucci, of Center Township, PA, Judy (Marc) Thurston of Midland, grandchildren Dallas Mucci of Center Township, PA, Amy (Matt) Kreusch of South Park, PA, Zachary (Emma) Thurston and great grandchild Eleanor Maeve Thurston all of South Bend, IN, along with many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Merrill and Thelma (Shauger) Yeakle, Richard Yeakle, Elizabeth Pierce, Ray Yeakle and Dallas Mucci.
A funeral service will take place at 11:00am on Saturday October 26, 2024 at Midland Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Don Killey officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Smith-Miner Funeral Home on Friday, October 25, 2024 and from 10:00 until time of service at the church the next day.
The family would like to thank StoneCrest Assisted Living and The Care Team Hospice Group for taking care of Virgelene, each one was a blessing.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Indian Lake Nazarene Campground.
Smith-Miner Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Thornton family; to share a special memory please visit www.smithminer.com.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Virgelene, please visit our Tree Store.