Leatta Thornton

Leatta M. Thornton, 85, of Summerfield, IL, died Thursday, March 11, 2021 at her home, surrounded by loved ones.

Leatta was born May 2, 1935 to Orville and Leona (nee Dearing) Pendegraft in Cedar Hill, MO.  On June 30, 1954, she married Donald Thornton in Mascoutah, IL.

She was a member of the Lutheran Church in Rantoul, IL.

Leatta moved to Lebanon at an early age, later meeting Donald while he was stationed at Scott AFB.  They lived in Texas, Illinois, Germany, and Turkey, eventually coming back to Summerfield.  She was a hardworking homemaker, who enjoyed caring for her family.  She loved all types of flowers, especially appreciating wildflowers.  Some of her favorite past-times included playing dominoes, board games, doodling faces, flowers, and horses, and listening to some of her favorite Country music artist.  She was an avid soap opera fan and was also known to be a master pancake flipper.   A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; she will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Leona Pendegraft; sons, Terrance and Richard Thornton; siblings, Juanita (at birth), Ervin, Lenny, Carl and Russell Pendegraft.

Leatta is survived by her loving husband, Donald Thornton, Summerfield, IL; children, Trinje Reidelberger, Highland, IL, Jeff Thornton, Highland, IL, Patrick Thornton, Lebanon, IL, Lisa (Tony) Frazier, Lebanon, IL and David (Sharon) Thornton, Trenton, IL; thirty-four grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; siblings, Lou Jones, Belleville, IL, Penny (Al) Schaepperkoetter, Shiloh, IL, Thelma (Dave) Hunter, Pocahontas, IL, Lloyd (Sylvia) Pendegraft, Summerfield, IL, Donny Pendegraft, Lebanon, IL, Audie (Loretta) Pendegraft, Shiloh, IL; sisters-in-law, Janet Pendegraft, O’Fallon, IL, Teresa Pendegraft, Lebanon, IL, Jerry Pendegraft, Summersville, MO.; many nieces and nephews.

Services will be private.

Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL.