Archie Thorburn

Archie L Thorburn, 84, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, January 26th, 2016 Unexpectedly, at Omaha, Nebraska. Archie Leroy Thorburn, the son of James Walton and Lula Bell (Vincent) Thorburn, was born February 25, 1931 on his parents farm rural Nevada, Missouri. He was one of three children born to this union, two sons and one daughter, Winfred, Archie, and Evelyn. Archie attended grade schools in Missouri and graduated from Nevada High School, Nevada, Missouri. Archie joined the United States Marines and honorably served his country during the Korean War. On July 18, 1980 Archie was united in marriage to Joyce A. Kasper Williams at Canton, Kansas. The couple established their first home together in McPherson, Kansas. This union brought together Archie’s daughters, Connie and Cindy, and Joyce’s children, Kathy “Kat”, Brad, and Tim. Through the years, Archie worked as a mechanic for International Dealership in Lindsborg, Kansas and later for N.C.R.A. “now known as CHS” as a Pipefitter Leaderman and retired as a Heavy Equipment Operator. Following his retirement, Archie began working as a driver for Midway Motors, a job he loved. Archie and Joyce joined the Calvary Baptist Church where they both were faithful members. They served their church in many capacities through the years and were also the custodians for several years. Archie was a Christian, loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, co-worker, and dear friend. His wise counsel, gracious smile, and sense of humor will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. He was very proud of his children and always wanted the best for them. Archie was especially fond of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren always looking forward to their visits and times they would share together. Archie loved restoring old cars, gardening and did a lot of canning over the years. He was known for his T-Bone John’s recipe for Green Tomato Pickles and Hot Sauce. Archie was good at making you smile and laugh no matter who you were even at his expense. He enjoyed that a lot! He was also a bit of a story teller. On Tuesday, January 26, 2016 Archie and others, like any other workday, were all heading back from Omaha in separate cars. An off duty firefighter noticed something was wrong with Archie and was able to get his car stopped and immediately administer CPR. Unfortunately there was nothing that could be done. Archie Leroy Thorburn 84, went to be with Our Lord and Savior, safely on the side of the road near Omaha. Nebraska. A special thanks has to be made to the firefighter and all that came to Archie’s rescue. He died doing something he loved and all where safe in His hands. Archie was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lula Bell. Archie is survived by his loving and devoted wife of over 35 years, Joyce A. Thorburn, of McPherson, Kansas; his children, Connie Farnsworth and her husband Rick, of Canton, Kansas, Cindy Crane and her husband Willy, of rural Roxbury, Kansas, Kathy 'Kat' Dwinell, of McPherson, Kansas, Brad D. Williams and his wife Renee, of McPherson, Kansas, and Tim Williams, of McPherson, Kansas; his siblings, Winfred Thorburn and his wife Mary, of Russelville, Arkansas and Evelyn Marti, of Pittsburg, Kansas; his 9 grandchildren, Brandy Wenthe and her husband Gale, Matthew Farnsworth and his wife Kiley, Cate Sharp and her husband Ron, Weston Mizell and his wife Jennifer, Zac Crane and his wife Alyson, Kylie Sutton, J.D. Williams, Erin Heiman and her husband Cody, and Jacayla Casebeer and her husband Jess; his 15 great-grandchildren, Bryce Wenthe, Braylan Wenthe, Jaxon Farnsworth, Emery Farnsworth, Ally Sharp, Brecken Sharp, Grace Mizell, Keaton Crane, Max Crane, Landri Crane, Ellana See, Samantha See, Kyndall Sutton, Deegan Heiman, Mali Casebeer and a grandson, Holden Kenneth Heiman on the way!; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Friends are invited to call on Monday, February 1, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. until service time at Calvary Baptist Church, McPherson. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, February 1, 2016 at the Calvary Baptist Church, McPherson, Kansas with Pastor Dan Cate officiating. Special music “The Old Rugged Cross” will be sung by Pastor Dan Cate and Gena Strahman and accompanied by Virginia Weyand. “Going Home” will be played. The final resting place will be at the Canton Township Cemetery, Canton, Kansas with military honors presented by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715 and American Legion Post 24, both of McPherson. CASKET BEARERSMatthew Farnsworth Weston Mizell Gale Wenthe Bryce Wenthe Cody Heiman Ron SharpUSHERSLaVern Weyand Gary Clifton In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.