Todd Thornburg

Todd Alan Thornburg, 57, went to his heavenly home on Monday, June 19, 2023, at Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Ohio. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family. Todd was born in Union City, Indiana, on September 21, 1965. Todd was a graduate of Franklin Monroe High School, class of 1983. He attended Ohio State University on a full ROTC scholarship, majoring in Aeronautical Engineering. As a teenager, Todd loved pigs, worked on farms, and was highly involved with FFA. His sold his grand Champion Steer, Chief, to purchase his first car, a 1969 Camaro. 

Todd met the love of his life, Cherry Mercer, on a blind date in 1984 in Covington. Todd served as a Sergeant in the United States Army at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas from 1984­-1988. He was a Gulf Technician for Hawk Radar Missiles. He received many awards for his exemplary service and was nominated to go to West Point. However, he preferred to marry Cherry instead. They married on December 27, 1986, and Cherry joined him in Texas. They were happily married for 36 years. Todd and Cherry both shared a love of animals, especially dogs, and they raised several litters of chow puppies. They returned to Ohio after his honorable discharge and bought their first home in Piqua in March of 1989. Todd and Cherry later built their own home outside of Covington, where they lived together for 20 years. 

Todd worked for Miami County for almost 28 years in various positions including: the adult jail, bailiff, probation officer, and intensive probation. He was also a Supervisor at West Central Juvenile Facility. He served in the Ohio National Guard in the 73rd infantry brigade 1988-­1990. He graduated the Police Academy in 1990 and then served as a police officer in Arcanum and a Park Ranger for the Miami County Park District. Todd was very intelligent, and he earned his associates degree in Political Science, from Edison State College in 1997 in 1 year, as he passed out of most classes. 

While living in Piqua, Todd and Cherry were blessed with 3 sons: Morgan, 1991, Spencer, 1998, and Graham, 2000. He was a member of the Piqua Church of the Nazarene for 14 years, attended CLC North, and most recently True Life Church of  Greenville. He enjoyed board games, bonfires, walks, camping trips to Myrtle Beach, and escape rooms with his family. He was able to travel to many places in the US, and especially liked his trips to Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. 

Todd began work at the Honda Engine Plant in Anna in 2016, which he so loved. He worked in Aluminum Machining, where he was still employed in 2023. Todd was a man of faith, and he took his role as husband and father very seriously. Todd had a gift of humor and kept everyone laughing even during his difficult final days. Todd was an avid reader, which he shared with his boys. He loved watching the Harry Potter, Lord of Rings, and Star Wars movies with them as well, and especially enjoyed visiting Harry Potter World at Universal Studios in Florida. He loved his collie dog, Bailey, whom he spoiled daily.

Todd was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Evelyn Thornburg, of Union City, Indiana, grandparents Charles and Betty Greer of Union City, Uncle Charles Greer of Union City, Aunt Theresa Thornburg, of Fountain City, Indiana, mother in law, Dorothea Mercer of Covington and aunt in law, Dorinda Foster of Dunbar, West Virginia. 

Todd is survived by his wife, Cherry Thornburg, of Covington, sons Morgan (Anna) Thornburg of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Spencer (Waunetta) Thornburg of Sidney, and Graham Thornburg, Covington, parents Ron and Cherryl Thornburg, of Pitsburg, sister, Rhonda Gnade of Cornville, Arizona, nieces LeAnna Gnade of Marysville, and Jeanna Gnade of Greenville, and great nephew and niece, Levi and Lexi Shuff of Greenville. Brother­ in law, Gary Gnade of Union City, Indiana, sister in laws Alicia (Jeff) of Ft Lauderdale, Fla, Darcie (Dave) DeBerry of Tipp City, aunts Bonnie (Lee) Crowell of Greenville, Mary Greer of Union City, Vickie Bragg of Greenville, Kay Antrobus, of Union City, and Uncle Butch (Alma) Thornburg of Winchester, Indiana, many cousins including Betsy Karnisz, Charlene Kissinger of Michigan. He is also survived by his wife’s 4 nephews, 4 great nieces, and two cousins and their families. 

Please join us in a celebration of Todd’s life on Saturday June 24, 2023 at True Life Church of Greenville. Visitation is 10­-1 p.m. and following at 1 p.m. will be the celebration of his life. Burial will be at the Highland Cemetery in Covington. In lieu of flowers, family has requested that donations be made to the True Life Church of Greenville in Todd’s honor.