Bernell H Thorn

Bernell H. Thorn, 92, of Springville, Utah passed away on December 13, 2009, incident to age. He was born on May 31, 1917 in Springville, Utah to Jasper Hall Thorn and Elsie Huntington Thorn. His early youth was spent in Spring Canyon, Utah. He was married to Peg Patterson and later divorced. Bernell was married to Eleanor York Thorn on August 24, 1946 in Evanston, Wyoming. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple.



Bernell loved the outdoors and all of its magnificent beauty. He rode, bred and raised Arabian Horses, loved skiing and fishing with his family and hunting deer with the Thorn brothers and sons. In general, Bernell loved spending time with his family at home or anywhere they gathered. He graduated from Springville High School and attended BYU for a short while.



Bernell served in the U.S. Army Air Corp in World War II as a staff Sergeant Gunner on a B 24 Bomber in Italy, where he flew 30 plus sorties. He worked many vocations in his life such as Barber, Boiler Maker, Iron Worker, and Pipefitter. In his early years he sold women's clothing throughout the Midwest and during the early 1960's he became one of the top three salesmen in the country for Culligan Soft Water. Bernell later managed Culligan in Utah and Juab Counties. He returned to pipefitting in the late 60's where he loved working with his brothers, Roe and Kent building power plants and rebuilding blast furnaces. He retired as the Business Agent for Local 57 Plumbers, Fitters, and Tinners Union.



Bernell and Eleanor served a mission together for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Cass Lake, Minnesota where they worked among the Chippewa Indians and helped re establish a seminary program there. He also served as Elder's Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, High Counselor and in a Branch Presidency in a Mission Training Center Branch.



Bernell is survived by his wife, Eleanor, and his three sons, John P. Thorn of Victor, Idaho, Kirk B. (Debbie) Thorn of Mapleton, and Kim Y. (MaryLu) Thorn of Draper, 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Roe, Harold, and Kent Thorn and 1 great grandchild, Ashleigh Silkman.



Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the LDS Chapel at 840 South 400 East in Springville. A viewing will be held at the church from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.