Thornton Strange Obituary
Thornton Venice Strange, 79, of Marietta, IL passed away peacefully on June 19, 2024 at the Retreat at Saad of Mobile, AL. He was born July 8, 1944 in Williamsville, MO to Clifford Pearl and Ollie Mae (Bilbrey) Strange. He was married to Sharon (Winkler) McGlaughlin and later divorced.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Thurman Strange and Harlan Strange; sisters Anna Lea Waller and Freida Strange; brother-in-law James Dildine; sister-in-law Rebecca (Garrett) Strange.
He is survived by his daughters Laura Kim (Javier) Soto Arzate of Mobile, AL and Krista (David) Waller of Smithfield, IL; 6 grandchildren Joshua Sinnett of Bartlett, IL, Dan (Lindsey) Waller of Marietta, IL, Jeremy (Becca) Sinnett of Mobile, AL, Brittany (Keith) Denk of Smithfield, IL, Brock (Jennifer) Waller of Marietta, IL, and Chasity Varner of Mobile, AL; 12 great-grandchildren Haley, Sofia, Conor, and Carter Sinnett, Cameron, Aiden and Addilyn Denk, MacKenzie, Madison, Masyn, Lucas and Amelia Waller; brothers Charles Strange of Bushnell, IL, Robert (Sonja) Strange of Warsaw, MO, Glen (Kathy) Strange of Bushnell, IL, David (Becky) Strange of Bushnell, IL; sisters Shirley Dildine of Macomb, IL and Caroline James of Huburt, NC; sister-in-laws Connie Strange of Gulf Breeze, FL and Diane Strange of Prairie City, IL; and many nieces and nephews.
Thornton grew up in Williamsville, MO and his family moved to Prairie City, IL in 1959. He graduated from Bushnell-Prairie City High School in 1962. He owned Standard Oil Gas Station and Zephyr Gas Station in the early 1970s. He then moved his family to Gulf Breeze, FL where he co-owned and operated Grannys Donuts. He then continued his baking career at Welcome, Delchamps, Kroger, and Wal-Mart. He retired from Wal-Mart bakery in Macomb, IL.
He enjoyed watching college football, gardening, feeding and watching birds in his backyard, baking perfectly round cookies, and experimenting with recipes and different foods. He loved spending time with his siblings playing cards, fishing, and storytelling. He also loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He never met a stranger anywhere he went. He had a quick wit and orneriness that only close friends and family saw. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Assembly of God in Macomb, IL with Rev. Mike Williams officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, June 24, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Martin Hollis Funeral Home in Bushnell, IL. Burial will be at Prairie City Cemetery in Prairie City, IL. Memorials may be made to the Retreat at Saad of Mobile, AL. Martin-Hollis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guestbook and leave condolences at www.martinhollisfh.com.
Funeral Service
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
10:00 AM
Macomb Assembly of God
112 Robin Road
Macomb,IL
61455
Visitation
Monday, June 24, 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Martin-Hollis Funeral Home
771 N. Crafford Street
Bushnell,IL
61422 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Thornton, please visit our Tree Store.
Published by WGEM on Oct. 1, 2025.