Chuck Thorne started life as a farm boy in Pickford, Michigan. He was born March 13, 1935 to Levi and Emeline (O'Brien) Thorne in a little house on the river that runs through the town. We know this because he often told us that he remembered being born. He was one of six children, and was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jean, his brothers Bud and Frank, and his sister Dolly. His brother Melvin is the only surviving member of the six children.

There were many stories from the days of growing up on the farm, and story-telling is a strong trait in the Thorne family. Some of the stories from the early days included stories of the strict discipline from their father, fighting to get enough food to eat at the dinner table, the chores, learning lessons for all ages at the one-room schoolhouse, running track in high school and walking miles to school uphill in the snow. The early discipline and hard work on the farm instilled a good work ethic in all of the children, and all went on after high school to find work in the Detroit area. Mel is back in Pickford and is successfully running the family farm.

After graduating from Pickford High School in 1954, Chuck went to work for Ford Motor Company for a few years, and then went into the military. Chuck served as a Military Police in the U.S. Army in Europe for two years of active duty. His children found the stories of those days that he was an MP in France interesting, as stories from afar often are.

After the military, Chuck went back to Ford briefly, but then was laid off as they were downsizing. Chuck then went to work for A&P Grocery for about 3 ½ years. It was during this time that Chuck met Patricia Sine at a Nazarene Church Roller Skating Outing. They were introduced by her Pastor. They married January 9, 1960.

In January 1961, Chuck and Pat started their own family with the birth of Sandra. A few years later, Kevin arrived in the same manner, and during this time, Chuck went back to working at Ford Motor Company. Before the children became old enough to attend school, Chuck accepted a transfer with Ford Motor Company to Southern California. Pat's mother and sister were already living in Southern California, and the 1960's were an interesting time to live there. The family was very involved with the Norwalk Nazarene Church and Sandy and Kevin attended the Nazarene Christian Elementary School. During this time, Chuck took an interest in building, and started working for the church on building projects, and also started taking on part time work on the weekends, mostly roofing houses, but also delving into other areas of construction. In addition, he was attending Community College a few nights a week – he said this was so he could help the kids with their "new math". Many of the family members from Michigan came to visit, and trips to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm with extended family always brought much joy. During this time, the Thorne family would travel across country by car every year or two to visit family in Tennessee and Michigan. In 1970, Matt took the same path to join the family, and Sandy and Kevin were so excited that they went door-to-door to announce his arrival to all of the neighbors.

After 13 ½ years at Ford Motor Company, Chuck decided to take early retirement and take a risk and bought the feed elevator in his hometown of Pickford, Michigan. So the family moved from the Los Angeles area to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was a great shock to some members of the family, both culturally and temperature-wise. He also began farming part-time with his brother Mel at the family farm. He was also driving semi-truck for his business on occasion and continued with his interest in construction, eventually getting his Builders License. He built many barns in that area, and a few houses. He also served on the County Road Commission. You might say he kept very busy and worked a lot. He was quite strong from throwing around 50 and 100 pound feed bags all day, and he was a force to be reckoned with. Pat painted a picture of him on the steps of his business during these days, and this was one item the children would certainly fight over later in life. Pat was smart enough a few years ago to get 2 copies made, so now each of the children have a copy of this picture.

After about 10 years in Pickford and after both of his parents had passed on, and having experienced some of the difficulties of business ownership, Chuck felt the calling to apply for the position of Caretaker at the Nazarene Camp at Indian Lake, just outside of Vicksburg, Michigan. He was chosen for the position, so he and Pat and Matt moved to Vicksburg. Chuck spent about 13 years as Caretaker at the Indian Lake Nazarene Camp, and built many of the buildings that are on the grounds today, including the Family Learning Center, and many, many of the homes. He continued his education and licenses in the Construction Industry, maintaining his General Contractor's License, and getting certified in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning at the Community College.

He also spent time as a Caretaker at the Nazarene Camp south of Indianapolis, and worked for the Camps in Iowa, Louisiana and Florida, assisting with building plans and construction and other projects. He was on the board of the Nazarene Camp in Florida, and served as their Real Estate Agent.

Despite all of these various career and work accomplishments, and all of the ways he served over the years, Chuck always found time for God and for family. When the children were growing up he used to say "You can do anything you want to do, if you want to do it bad enough." His positive attitude and constant encouragement and sense of humor were very uplifting to his family members, and they considered him their hero, their rock and their family leader. He always set a good example.

Chuck had open heart surgery about 30 years ago, and has fought hereditary heart disease ever since. He took great care of Pat after her brain aneurysm ten years ago and all of her subsequent surgeries, and made sure to find the best rehab he could to help her get her life back to normal. In the last year, the heart, lungs and kidneys were all failing. Many of his nephews and nieces, as well as Pat's family and the great neighbors on the Nazarene Campgrounds, have been very gracious to help us over the last year. We like to think he wore his heart out from overuse with his great love for all of us. We trust that God took him to a better place, because he greatly deserves it, and we are so happy that God loaned him to us, as we couldn't imagine a better Husband and Dad.

Charles Edward Thorne passed away on Monday, July 24, 2017 at the age of 82. His family includes his wife, Pat; children: Sandra Bolstad, Kevin Thorne, Matt (and Sandee) Thorne; grandchildren: Emily Thorne and Levi Thorne; his Brother Mel (and Cathy) Thorne; and many treasured nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene, 7520 East U Avenue, Vicksburg. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with Pastor Dave Downs officiating. Interment will take place later at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Indian Lake Nazarene Campground (for Capital Improvements) at 8258 Victory Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097.