A Mass of Christian Burial for Richard T. Thornton, 78, of Newark, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 11:00 A.M., Friday, December 5, 2025, with Fr. Paul Noble as celebrant.

Richard, a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Church, passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, November 22, 2025. He was born in Newark, Ohio on February 8, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Hofacker) Thornton.

A 1965 graduate of Newark Catholic High School and recipient of the 1964 football team MVP, Richard attended Wilmington College, receiving his varsity letter as a freshman. He went on to receive a B.S. in Finance from The Ohio State University in 1971.

Richard took on many roles in his career, including owner/operator of Richard Thornton Electric, WCLT Radio account manager, Gummer Wholesale employee, real estate agent, 8th grade math teacher in the Licking Valley School District, and shop teacher and soccer coach at the former PIME Seminary.

Richard was an avid outdoorsman who brought Ducks Unlimited to Licking County, and became a certified tree farmer. He served his community in many ways, including as a past president of the Newark Catholic H.S. Board, past member of both the Newark Lions Club and Newark Jaycees, and founding member of Y.A.K. (Young American Kids). Richard was known as a kind man and loved to humor those around him with a great story. He loved to cook for friends and family on any occasion and enjoyed painting with watercolors during the quiet times.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 54 years, Linda (Nickles) Thornton; children, Steven Thornton and Elizabeth Thornton; extended family, Jason Lee Nickles, and Jennifer (Tom) Wheeler and her children, Karoline, Thomas, and Aerin; sister-in-law, Barbara Thornton; many loving nieces and nephews; and many special cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his infant sister, Marcella; brother, John; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Lou (George) Utz and Carol (Gerard) Buddendeck.

Calling hours will be held at the Reed-Egan Funeral Home, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, 4-7 P.M., Thursday, December 4, 2025. A Vigil Service with a family eulogy will begin at 6:30P.M.

The family requests memorials in Richard's name be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road, Newark, Ohio 43055.

To share your memory of Richard or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com