Eldon W. Thornber, 100, of Colman, died Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Riverview Manor in Flandreau. Eldon was born near Dell Rapids on May 1, 1909 to William and Mattie (Cuckow) Thornber. The family moved to Colman in 1911 and Eldon graduated from Colman High School. He married Frances M. Cramer on December 2, 1929 at Colman Lutheran Church. Eldon farmed most of his life taking over the family farm in 1935 when his father passed away. He followed in his father's footsteps and raised Shropshire sheep besides being a diversified farmer. He retired from farming in the 60's when he started the Mood County Commodity program. However, he never gave up being a shepherd. Frances preceded him in death on January 29, 2005. Eldon was an avid trapper, hunter and fisherman. His stories about the adventures of him and his companions will live on far longer. Eldon was a lifelong active member of the Odd Fellow Lodge, belonging to both the local Colman IOOF Lodge and the Encampment in Madison. He served as Secretary of the Colman lodge for years and was appointed Grand Master of the South Dakota Encampment in the late 1950's. Eldon was also a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Colman. He was active for years with the Moody County Farm Bureau and served as the local agent for Farm Bureau Insurance in the 50's and 60's.

He leaves behind 5 children, Eldon C. (Geneva) Thornber, Wentworth, Sue Christensen, Colman, Donna (George) Jensvold, Onamia, MN, Clayton (Marlene) Thornber, Chilton, WI, Sandra Thornber, Wentworth; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren and 18 step-great-grandchildren. Eldon is preceded in death by his wife of 75 years, Frances; 2 grandsons, Robert Christensen and Mark Allen; one great-grandson, Marshall Allen; his parents and 2 brothers, Hubert and Wesley.



Funeral services will be Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Colman with burial at Colman Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM at Skroch Funeral Chapel on Saturday.