Thornton

Edith (Carson) and Russell Thornton

          Russell Harold Thornton was born June 4, 1907, in Clarke County, Iowa, to Clayborn and Dora Thornton.  He married Edith Eleanor Carson on June 6, 1931.  She was born January 21, 1913, in Clarke County, Iowa, to Frank and Margaret Elizabeth

“Lizzie” (Porterfield) Carson.    They farmed in the Woodburn area and were close friends with Loren and Viola Davis (Viola was also Edith’s cousin).   They played cards during the winter every Saturday evening at the neighbors.   They took turns going to their houses - Loren and Viola Davis, Maurice and Freda Clark, Gerald and Louise Watson, Harry and Sally Kearney, Andy and Agnes Ewoldsen, and Charlie and Mable Frizzell. 

            Russell was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Woodburn.   They were members of the Woodburn Christian Church.  They farmed east of Osceola from 1931 to 1977, when they retired to a home in Osceola.  Edith helped quilt for many years for people in need.  One of her favorite quotes was: “We all fall short of the glory of God.”  Russell passed away on January 9, 1988.   Edith moved to Westward Manor in Osceola in 1988.  She left the manor in 2006 and resided at the nursing home at Winterset, Iowa, where she passed away on December 23, 2008.   Their children:  Merrill Edwin and Nelson Edgar.    

Merrill and Nelson Thornton

         Merrill Edwin Thornton married Deloris Jean Osborn on June 22, 1957, in Osceola.   She was born May 20, 1937, daughter of Eph and Lois Osborn.  They divorced and he married Lou E. (Wilson) Runyon on November 27, 1981, in Marshalltown.   She was born May 12, 1939, in Missouri.   Merrill farmed in the Woodburn and Osceola area for many years.    The children attended Woodburn schools and graduated from Clarke Community High School.    Merrill and Lou now live in Urbandale, Iowa.  Merrill and Deloris' children are Gregory Alan, Kathryn Lynne [Albrecht] and Amy Elizabeth [Siefkas].