Ernest J. Thorn

Ernest J. Thorn of Cedarburg, Born to Eternal Life on November 2, 2017 at the age of 85. Ernie was born in Granville, WI on May 25, 1932 the son of the late Joseph and Kathryn (nee Class) Thorn. On January 9, 1960 Ernie was united in marriage to the late Patricia A. (nee Guerndt) at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in West Bend, WI. Ernie was a devoted father and grandfather. He used to joke that the only rule his grandkids (and grand-puppy) had to follow was to stay off the roof. This occasionally led to impromptu tents showing up in various rooms that he insisted keeping up for at least a week. He would also grow dozens of pumpkins in the garden for his family to carve up into Jack-o-Lanterns for Halloween every year. He enjoyed decorating for Christmas every year as well, making a contest of it with his family that no one ever really won. He also enjoyed going to Wayne’s Drive-In every Thursday night in summer to showcase either his 1948 Crosley Panel Truck or 1956 Mercury Custom to family and friends at Classic Car Night. He was an avid antique car enthusiast who put in hundreds of hours on each car to get them ready, and then a few more hours afterwards too. In October 2016 he was able to go on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to commemorate his military service in the Army during the Korean War. For the next year he would talk about how he returned home to a standing ovation, with children shaking his hand and women kissing his cheek. It meant a lot to him to finally get that thanks for his time in the armed services. He meant a lot to his family and friends too, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Ernie is survived by his son, Greg (Julie) Thorn; Devoted “Papa” of Derek Thorn and Becky (Steven) Derlein; Dear brother of Francis (Dorothy) Thorn, William Thorn and sister-in-law Ruth Thorn. Ernie was preceded in death by his brothers: Jerome and James; and sister-in-law Nancy Thorn. Further survived by other relatives and many friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017 – 12 Noon at St. Francis Borgia North Catholic Church 1375 Covered Bridge Rd. Cedarburg. Family will receive friends at the church on Sat. from 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM. Full Military Honors to follow Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials of your choice are appreciated.