Joe Silverthorn

SIKESTON - T. J. "Joe" Silverthorn, 86, died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, at Sikeston Convalescent Center.

Born Oct. 5, 1929, in Sikeston, son of the late L.E. and Leola (Roach) Silverthorn, Joe was a Class of '47 graduate of Matthews High School, served in the U.S. Air Force and worked with both Little League and Senior League. He was a member of First Christian Church in Sikeston -- serving as an elder and Sunday School teacher for many years. He also had served as a lay minister at Matthews Christian Church.

He was a self-employed farmer, having farmed since the age of 6 years with his father. Joe was one of the first to introduce narrow 30-inch rows into his farming in this area. His greatest loves were farming, gospel music, Ruby and family.

On July 4, 1948, he married Ruby Curtis; this was the first recorded wedding in the First Christian Church of Matthews.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by: one daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Harold Hurst of Buncombe, Ill.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Lisa Silverthorn and Gary and Karen Silverthorn all of Sikeston; three grandchildren, Mark and Beth Silverthorn and Fleming and Jason Gambill all of Jonesboro, Ark., and Paige Silverthorn of Eureka, Mo.; and five great-grandchildren, Trip Silverthorn, Griff Silverthorn, Tessa Silverthorn, Witton Gambill and Roxie Gambill.

One grandson, Cory Stotts, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 5-8 p.m. at the Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 22, at 10:30 a.m. at First Christian Church in Sikeston.

Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be Mark Silverthorn, Gary Silverthorn, Mark Silverthorn II, Harold Hurst, Dan Jennings and Lloyd Smith.

Honorary pallbearers will be R.L. Richards and Jack Britt.

Paid obituary