Jeffery M. Thornton

Jeffrey M. Thornton, 51, of Meadville, died Friday, November 7, 2014 as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born April 10, 1963 in Meadville, a son of Robert J. and Marlene Thornton Knapp.

Jeff was a 1981 graduate of Maplewood High School and was a U.S. Navy Veteran.  He was a member of the Steel Workers Union local 1917-3 and was employed at Channellock in the maintenance department.  He was a member of the Charles Stafford American Legion Post 111, Meadville and the Saegertown American Legion Post 205, Saegertown.  He was a New England Patriots football fan and a Jeff Gordon NASCAR fan.

Survivors include his mother, Marlene Knapp of Meadville; a daughter, Attie Vardamaskos of Columbus, OH; a son, Martin Anthony Thornton of Meadville; two brothers, Jamie Knapp of Columbus, OH and Joseph Paul Knapp of Meadville; three sisters, Jodie Lynne Knapp and her companion Jerry Wilson of Starke, FL, Jenny Kightlinger of Meadville, and Marty Jo Knapp and her fiancée Melanie Thompson of Meadville; his paternal grandmother, Anna Mae Knapp of Meadville; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his father; paternal grandfather, Robert M. Knapp; and maternal grandparents, Martin and Shirley Thornton.

A Celebration of Life Service will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Charles Stafford American Legion Post 111, 17137 Cussewago Rd., Meadville with the Rev. Philip Torre officiating and military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Meadville.  The service will be followed by a reception and gathering until 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Marlene Knapp, 10592 Moyer Rd., Meadville, PA 16335.

The arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville where memories and condolences may be shared at waidfuneralhome.net.