Richard J. Thornton, 63, of Carlisle, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 20, 2014, at the Lebanon V. A. Medical Center. He was born on Sept. 22, 1950, in Painesville, OH, a son of the late Richard G. Thornton and Florence E. (Bishop) Thornton Nichols.

Richard was a US Army veteran of the Vietnam War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with one O/S Bar. He retired from Letterkenny Army Depot after 25 years of service. Richard was a faithful member of the Carlisle Church of God. He enjoyed playing the guitar, singing, hunting, fishing, boating, camping and playing cards.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 44 years, Patricia L. (Failor) Thornton, two daughters; Tammy L. and her husband, Ronald Stine of Newville and Tonya L. Thornton-Karper and her husband, Merle David Karper of Shippensburg, one sister, Dawn Nichols of Waterford, two grandsons; Tanner Thornton and Maddux Karper and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Harry Thornton and his sister, Floetta Wilhelm.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 25, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. in the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, with Pastors Dean H. Ramsey and Robert F. Myers officiating. Burial with military honorsby Cumberland County Honor Guardwill be in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Newville. A viewing will be on Thursday from 6 - 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home and on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. www.Since1853.com