Luther Francis Thornton Sr.

Crawford – Luther Francis Thornton, 76, passed away Sunday, June 6, 2010 at a Bangor hospital. Luther was born in South Princeton on July 9, 1933, son of the late Clinton and Gladys (Grover) Thornton. He graduated from Calais High School, Class of 1952. After serving his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Luther returned home and worked in the woods and blueberry fields. On March 17, 1963, he married Joline Leclair in Milltown. In 1969, Luther began driving school bus for the Crawford area, retiring in 2009. He served as a selectman for Crawford for 30 years. Luther enjoyed the outdoors and taking care of his blueberry fields. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Beatrice Ring and his brother Clinton Thornton. Surviving are his loving wife of 47 years Joline Thornton; three children, Michael McKeown and his wife Diana of Phoenix, AZ, Luther Thornton Jr. and his wife Carlene of Liberty, and Susan Wallace and her husband Randy of Crawford; six grandchildren, Doug McKeown of Germany, Mike Moody and his fiancé Amanda Bowdoin of Searsmont, Shanna Ashby and her husband Abe of Windsor, Amanda Mitchell and her husband Shane of Belmont, and his two special “buddies” who were by his side, Travis and Chris Wallace, both of Crawford; many great-grandchildren; and two nieces, Abigail Lange and her husband Dennis of Minnesota, and Jennifer Ring of Wisconsin.