Myron "Whitey" Albert Thornburg

"How proud I was to serve my country to support freedom for all Americans." was the reply Myron A."Whitey" Thornburg would always offer when he was thanked for his service to the U.S.A.

Four days after Whitey and his second wife, Joanne Shephard Thornburg, celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary, Myron passed away at Miller's Health and Rehab, where he spent twelve weeks hoping to recover from a fall and surgery in early May.

Myron, better known as Whitey, A. Thornburg was born in Walkerton, IN, on August 21, 1926, to the late George F. and Bertha (Cavin) Thornburg.  He joined two other siblings, Walter Thornburg and Rose Thornburg Taylor, and eventually Doris Thornburg McLean.  His parents and siblings all preceded him in death.

Whitey graduated from La Porte High School in 1944.  That same year, in December, he began his service in the U.S. Army.  At first, he was stationed in Okinawa in the 184th Infantry Division, then six months later, he was sent to Korea where his unit was re-named the 31st Infantry Division.  During his tour in Korea, he was selected with special requirements to be in a 60 man Palace Guard Unit as a back-up for 2 Star General Archibald Arnold, who negotiated with the Russians over the 38th parallel.

After completing his service, he returned to La Porte, where he worked as Service Manager at Pendleton's Olds and Cadillac for twenty years.  He later retired from NIPSCO after 19 years.

In 1952, Myron married A. Kathryn Wetter, who preceded him in death in 1988.  They had three children, Philip (Jan) Thornburg (deceased), David (Debra) Thornburg, and Laura (Doug) Kiger.  When Myron married his second wife, Joanne, he gained three bonus children, Cristofer (Jack-deceased) Rudyk, Deborah Morgan Yarnes, and Stephen P. Morgan.  In addition, he had five grandsons, Matthew, Nick, and Bradley (deceased) Thornburg and Kyle and Tyler Ahlgrim; two bonus granddaughters, Brady and Mikie; five bonus grandsons, Nick, Colton, Luke and Chase Morgan and Christopher Yarnes; and 8 great-grandchldren, Bailey, Elias, Emma Rose, Grace, Addie, twins Peyton and Paisley, and Remy.  Other bonus family includes Kevin and Lisa Menke and their three children plus Mike and Angie Reaves and their daughter.  Whitey also had several loving nephews and nieces.

Whitey was a member of the First United Methodist Church.  He was also a former Boy Scout Master, a Little League Baseball coach, a member of Beechwood Golf Course and Golf Hammock of Florida, and a past Post Commander for VFW Post 1130 from 1961 to 1962.  In his earlier years, Whitey had a passion for playing softball.

A Celebration of Life Service With Full Military Honors will take place on Monday, August 8, 2022 with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and the memorial service at 1 p.m.  Pastors Evan Lash and Robert Vale will be officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Pine Lake Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Ave., Valparaiso, IN 46383, First United Methodist Church, 1225 Michigan Ave., La Porte, IN 46350, or Hubner Swanson VFW Post 1130, 181 McClung Rd., La Porte, IN 46350.

Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlercares.com.