Kenneth Franklin Thornbrugh, Jr.

Kenneth Franklin Thornbrugh, Jr., (62) passed away on February 3, 2009 at the Boundary Community Hospital ER in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 1:00 pm in the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home, Bonners Ferry, Idaho with burial following in the Grandview Cemetery, Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Kenneth Franklin Thornbrugh Jr. was born in Independence, Kansas on September 1,1946 to Kenneth F. Thornbrugh Sr. and Esther Mae (Fishburn) Thornbrugh. His Grandparents had wanted him to be named 'Mike' so that was the origin of the nickname that he carried throughout his life. During his childhood the family moved to numerous locations including California, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas as what was required to find suitable work to raise a family. Mike had three brothers Wayne, Jay, and David and two sisters Debbie and Michelle. He played in the all-state basketball championships as a senior at Lenapah, OK. For his abilities and performances in basketball he was given a full scholarship to Iowa State. Mike had other plans though. On October 22, 1964, he married the love of his life, Nancy Ann Stevens in Fremont, California while attending his first semester . Together they began a family having five children over the course of 16 years. Their children, Irmajean Spencer, Kenneth Thornbrugh III, Steven Thornbrugh, Mike Thornbrugh and Tabithia Kuehn were always his absolute first priority. He always put the wants and needs of his family first and above all else, often requiring Mike to work two or three jobs at the same time. Whatever it took, Mike always rose to the occasion, not always doing what he desired, but what was needed. His sacrifices will always be remembered by those that loved him the most. In 2003 Mike and Nancy moved to Bonners Ferry to enjoy a 'semi-retired' life and to be near children and grandchildren that were already in the area. Mike worked various part time jobs usually working in various types of customer service. Then on February 3, 2009, God called Mike home to be with him much to his family's heartbreak. Mike is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, with whom God gave them 44 wonderful years together. Also by his children Irmajean and her husband Randy; Kenny and his wife Mary; Steve and wife Laura; Mikey, and Tabithia, Sisters Michelle Oreman and Debbie Thornbrugh both of Coffeyville, KS, brothers Wayne Thornbrugh, J.D. Thornbrugh and David Thornbrugh all of Coffeyville Aunt and uncle Leslie and Betty Malone of Independence, KS Step-mother Faye Chapman of Coffeyville and cousins Wil and Belle Rains of Independence, KS; nine grandchildren: Duke, Jason and his wife Cassie; Shane and wife Summer; Cory, Dallas, JT, Victoria, Kendall, and Tyler and two great-grandchildren: Cason and Alexis Spencer. Jaycie Spencer will join the family in April, and his Mother and Father-in-1aw; Rev. A.M. and Irma Stevens, brothers-in-law Richard and Terry Stevens and numerous family and friends. Family and friends are invited to sign Kenneth’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.