Christine Ruth Thornton
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Hancock: Christine Ruth Thornton, a former longtime resident of Hancock, who had been missing for the past 39 years, has been located and identified as the victim of a homicide.
Her life was tragically taken from her in Sweetwater County, Wyoming in August of 1977. She was 28 years old at the time of her death.
Christine was born in Hancock on November 7, 1948 and attended St. Joseph and St. Patrick Elementary School, Hancock Central High School, and Michigan Tech University.
She was a resident of San Antonio, Texas at the time of her disappearance in 1977.
Chris was the daughter of the late Beatrice Roberts Thornton and the late James Martin Thornton.
She is survived by her siblings, Nancy (Walter) Segsworth, Mary Ann (Dave) Nimmo, Dan (Barb) Thornton, and Kathy Thornton; uncles, John Thornton and Thomas Thornton; and cousins Pat (Diane) Thornton, Mike (Joan) Thornton, and Margaret Thornton.
Chris was a free spirited and adventurous soul who loved playing classical piano, the outdoors, sailing, and traveling. She was equally beautiful, intelligent, and fearlessly embraced all life had to offer.
Her identification was made by matching DNA submitted to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUS), and charges have been filed in the case.
Chris was dearly loved and has long been missed by those who knew her.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Christine and her unborn child at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at the Church of the Resurrection in Hancock with Rev. Fr. William Ssozi to officiate. Interment will take place in the family lot at Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton.
The O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting with the local arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.