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Barbara Jean Thorne (Dostie)

December 5, 2018
Gobles, MI

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Passed away peacefully in her sleep December 5, 2018. Barbara was born August 26, 1930, in Richland, MI. She attended Cheshire Township School in Allegan County and Bloomingdale High School, both in Michigan. Barbara married Russell Earl Thorne on September 18, 1948, and remained married until Russell's death 65 years later. They lived most of their lives together on the centennial family farm near Grand Junction. They also had a winter home in Lakeland, FL. For 41 years they produced and sold maple syrup and maple candy together on their farm as Thorne's Maple Syrup. Barbara was a lifelong member of the Order of the Eastern Stars, holding most offices at one time or another. Barbara and Russell traveled all over the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, plus the countries of Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, France, Israel and Egypt. Barbara is survived by her children, Cheryl Ladd (Bill Potter), Frances (Ken) Zecklin, Edwin (Nanci) Thorne, Grace (Rod) Smith, and Ruth (Rick) Cripps; 14 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; 13 great great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; her sister, Dorothy Miller of Plainwell; brother, Carl (Peggy) Dostie of Newaygo; and her brother-in-law, Maurice Thorne of Cary, NC. She was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Daniel Lindsley; brothers, Jimmy and Robert Dostie; sister-in-law, Phyllis Thorne; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Maryella and Paul William; brother-in-law, Merton Miller; foster brother-in-law and foster sister-in-law, Rolland and Mallie Griffin; and foster sister-in-law and foster brother-in-law, Genevieve and John Keller. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 12, from 11 AM until noon, at which time an Eastern Stars service will begin followed by the regular funeral service at the Bloomingdale Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home, www.dlmillerfuneralhome.com. Interment will follow at Grand Junction Cemetery.