Rev. Luther Thorne

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- The Rev. Luther E. Thorne, 92, of Chaffee died Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at Chaffee Nursing Center.

He was born Feb. 24, 1912, at Burfordville, son of John E. and Revie R. Angel Thorne. He and Cora Jane Rhyne were married July 6, 1933.

A bi-vocational minister, Thorne founded the United Pentecostal Church at Chaffee, where he pastored more than 40 years. He served as an evangelist, was active in Chaffee Ministerial Alliance, and was instrumental in establishing the cross on a hill east of Chaffee.

Thorne had also been a welder at Missouri Dry Dock and Repair Co., a mechanic with Kimbel Truck Lines, and a self-employed carpenter, retiring in 1976 and entering the ministry full time.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Billy Thorne Sr.; a daughter, Annadell Barlow, both of Chaffee; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and a sister.

Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson after 8:30 a.m. today.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Revs. H.V. Hodge, Victor Hodge and C.B. Stidham officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.