Maxine “Maggie” Thornton, 86, of Arnold died March 8, 2025, in Fenton. Mrs. Thornton grew up with her two younger sisters in their home off Fyler Ave. in St. Louis. She married her high-school sweetheart at a young age and started a family. She began her career as a police dispatcher in California and then, upon the family’s return to Missouri, she continued her career as a dispatcher for Rock Hill and Webster Groves. Later in life, she became a computer controller and eventually retired from Citicorp. She loved animals, especially dogs and horses, and adopted several dogs from local animal shelters over the years. She was strong in her faith and loved spending time with her family. She will be remembered for her laugh and smile. Born June 15, 1938, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Beatrice (Guzman) and Cecil Toenningsmeyer.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years: Richard Eugene Thornton.
She is survived by a daughter: Elaine Beth Rhoads; a son: Michael Wayne (Leslie) Thornton; two sisters: Laura (Michael) Kirby and Pam (Danny) Liston; eight grandchildren: Joshua Brian (Ashley) Thompson, Kristi (Eric) Hardesty, Trevor Thornton, Severin (Kaitlyn) Thornton, Jessica Marie (Benjamin) Ashley, Zachary Ryan Thornton, Dalton Rhoads and Rachel “Dakota” Rhoads; a step-grandson: Christian Jones; three nephews: Nathan Liston, Timothy Liston and Sean Liston; two nieces: Dana Ludwick and Kelly Johnson; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
She also was preceded in death by her eldest son: Richard John Joseph “Rick” Thornton; two grandsons: Aaron Joseph Thornton and Steven Michael Sronce; a granddaughter: Chelsea Ellen Thornton; and a son-in-law: Tod Rhoads.
A private service will be held at Kutis South County Chapel in St. Louis County. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Arrangements are under the direction of Kutis South County Chapel.