Mark A. Thornton

Waunakee-Mark A. Thornton, age 48, passed away on September 3, 2010, surrounded by his family at UW Hospital. He was born on September 18, 1961, in Madison, the son of Larry and Kathleen (Kopp) Thornton. Mark was a 1980 graduate of Waunakee high School where he enjoyed playing football and baseball. Mark loved spending times outdoors, hunting and fishing with family and friends. He took pride in never having missed a bow-hunting season. He was also an avid Packers fan and enjoyed following NASCAR, as well as Waunakee prep football. Mark was a great guy who inspired his family and friends with his upbeat attitude and the grace with which he handled his diagnosis.He will be dearly missed by his parents, Larry and Kathy; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Lynn and Reg Acker, Margie (his twin) and Kevin Perry, Lori Thornton and Jim Malone, Amy Thornton and Patrick Walsh; his nieces and nephews, Tyler, Danielle and Brandon Acker, Nathan and Michael Perry, Allyson and Sarah Malone. Mark also counted Jim and Michelle Statz and their children, and Mark and Laura Miller and their children, as family. He will also be missed by other loving family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Reg and Marie Thornton and maternal grandparents, Joseph and Rose Kopp.The family wishes to thank Hellenbrand Water for their support and kindness over the past year. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Bradley Manning, Dr. John Kuo, Dr. Mark Albertini and their staffs for their care, comfort and kindness. Memorials may be made in Mark's memory to: The Center for Patient Partnerships, 975 Bascom Hall, Suite 4311, Madison, WI 53706 or Ann's Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 46126, Madison, WI 53744 (melanoma research).Funeral services will be held at St. John's Catholic Church, 209 South Street, Waunakee, at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 8, 2010. Msgr. James Gunn will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at the Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 County Trunk Q, Waunakee and also on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

5785 Hwy Q

Waunakee, WI

www.cressfuneralservice.com