Gene Thornhill

Eugene “Gene” Thornhill, of Saint Peters, MO, died Sunday, January 5, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on April 15, 1939, in Troy, Missouri, Gene lived a life of care and craft. He loved woodworking, fishing, his family and God. He met his lifelong wife, Lorita, when he started driving her downtown to St. John’s Nursing School as a help to Rita’s father, because he attended Bailey Technical College nearby. They raised seven children together.

Gene was an active member of Assumption Parish for almost 50 years. He was also involved in the Knights of Columbus Council at Assumption, earning the honor of Knight of the Year in 2014. He worked as an officer in the St. Vincent De Paul Society for many years helping those in need in the local community.

Before retiring at age 53 to help care for his son Andrew, Gene was a field engineer for NCR Corporation, calling on local banks and businesses to repair equipment. Customers respected his work ethic, attention to detail and kind, friendly personality. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Gene was a loving husband of Lorita C. Thornhill for over 60 years; beloved son of the late John and Mary (Morek) Thornhill; devoted father of Stephen (Kimberly) Thornhill, Paula (Philip) Boeckmann, Matthew (Heather) Thornhill, Kenneth (Kim) Thornhill, David (Deborah), Thomas (Beth) and Andrew Thornhill; and proud grandfather of Lyndsey (Andrew), Garrett (Kayla), Zachary, James (Mallory), Mary, Henry, Martha, Sophia, LoLo, Rosalinda, Calvin, Phoebe, Zera, Benjamin, Alexander, Katelyn, Joseph, Jack, Abby and Max, as well as great grandchildren Luke, Daisy and Charlotte.

Gene is preceded in death by his son, Andrew Thornhill, brothers Garrett and Robert Thornhill, and sisters Marcella Kuester and Bettie Lammert. Gene is survived by sisters Marian Schlenke and Evelyn Zalabak.

Memorials may be made in Gene's name to St. Vincent De Paul Society at Assumption Parish or Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.