George Washington Thornburg

George Washington Thornburg, 88, formerly of Hartford, passed into his heavenly Father's arms Monday, June 2, 2014, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo with his children by his side to help with his journey home. For almost two years, he resided at New Friends Dementia Care, Kalamazoo, until his passing. The family is very thankful for the wonderful care he received at New Friends.

George was born Feb. 22, 1926, in Shelby, Ala., to Marvin Frank and Mary Pansy Aliene Dendy Thornburg. On July 22, 1944, he married the love of his life, Mary Sue Cheatham, in Lake City, Ark. They left Arkansas and moved to Watervliet and then Hartford, where they settled to raise their family. At age 54, George retired after 32 years of faithful employment at Auto Specialties-Riverside as a furnace operator. After 67 years of marriage, Mary passed away Dec. 27, 2011.

He is survived by his children: George E. (Marilyn) Thornburg of Kalamazoo, Emma (Ron) Sefcik of Hartford and Janet (Garry) Melvin of Lawrence; his beloved grandchildren: Jason (Julie) Sefcik of Hayden, Idaho; Dana (John) Liceaga of Shelbyville, Mich.; David (Jen) Thornburg of McCordsville, Ind., Ken Sefcik of Hartford; Christopher (Sarah) Thornburg of Galesburg; and Brandon (Dawn) Melvin of Hartford; his precious great-grandchildren: Olivia, Mia and Ava Liceaga; Allyn Edgar; Dylan Thornburg; and Elliot Sefcik; Mary's very special cousin, Bernice Madison (Robert) Lightner of Hartford, who they loved as a daughter, and their children: Bobby (Sarah) Lightner and daughter Lillie Rose; Rebecca (Steve) Bintz and daughter Alyssa; and Brian Lightner.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Henry and Lawrence; his sister, Evelyn Touey; and a half-sister of whom he recently learned, Francis Robles Thornburg.

Visitation for George will be from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, June 6, at Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford. A committal service for George will be at 3:30 p.m. in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hartford, with Pastor Jeffrey Williams of Hartford United Methodist Church officiating. Memorials may be made in George's memory to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or to the charity of choice. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.