John Merle Thornton , 82, of Pasco, returned to his Heavenly Father peacefully on Saturday, May 17, 2008. He was born December 29, 1925 in Walnut, Mississippi to Vance Godfrey and Myrtle Viola Thornton. He was the fifth of eight children. In 1936 the family moved to Tulare, California. As a young child he received a harmonica for Christmas. He taught himself to play and became an accomplished player. Some of his favorite songs to play were Red Wings and Edelweiss. He married Juanita Nita Joy Shahan on February 28, 1947 in Visalia, California. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had four children while living in California. He worked hard to support his family. They moved to the Tri-Cities in 1975. Pasco became their home and they made many friends and happy memories here. He enjoyed gardening and raised various crops and many flowers. John was reliable, conscientious, hard-working, and honest. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. He was the custodian for the Pasco Stake Center for twelve years. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Nita, his parents Vance and Myrtle; siblings, Viola, Vance, and Bernice; and his great-grandson, Shane Burgess. He is survived by his children: Sandy Kaye Burgess of Las Lunas, New Mexico; Rick Denise Thornton and Kim David Giesler of Pasco, Washington; and Paula Rick Taylor of Provo, Utah. He leaves 24 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren with three on the way. He is also survived by siblings Ruth, Charlene, Don, and Dolly. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 11:00am at the Pasco LDS Stake Center 2004 Rd 24, Pasco, WA. Burial will follow at City View Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday May 23, 2008 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home, and at the Pasco LDS Stake Center, Saturday May 24, 2008 at 10:00am.