Elwood "Woody" Thornton, 87, was a native of Portland and graduate of Portland High School. He was most recently a resident of Oxford, Michigan.

He was born on February 23, 1935 in Wayne Township and was the foster son of Perry and Lucille Franklin of Nobel Township, Indiana. He was married to Sara (Pratt), also from Portland, on August 18, 1956 at Asbury United Methodist Church in Portland, Indiana.

Surviving are his wife Sara and his two daughters: Tracy (Danny) Barron of Mission Viejo, California and Tamara (Michael) Stachecki of Oakland Township, Michigan along with five grandchildren: Caroline and Joshua Barron and Elizabeth, Jacob and Abigail Stachecki.

Woody was a member of the Indiana National Guard. He was employed at General Motors for 34 years, starting at Chevrolet in Muncie, Indiana and retiring as Resident Comptroller of Hydromatic Division Willow Run Michigan operations.

He was preceded in death by two sisters - Marciel (Everett) Locker and Gladys (Robert) Miller, and two brothers John and Floyd.

Graveside services will be held in Salamonia Cemetery.  Baird-Freeman Funeral Home are handling the arrangements.

Online condolences at www.bairdfreeman.com