On February 12, 2014 Elsie Elizabeth Thornton went to her Heavenly home, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom she joyfully and faithfully served.She was a resident of the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community (QPRC), having lived there nearly ten years.

Daughter of Arthur and Viola (nee Fox) Hare, she was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1923, and there she grew up, attending Kenmore High School.She attended Bob Jones University in Tennessee and Wheaton College in Illinois, and was a graduate of Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada.

She served as a missionary of The Evangelical Alliance Mission, aiding her husband Bill in establishing churches in Nagano and Saitama Prefectures in Japan.Her chief contribution was teaching English classes, thus making contact with many Japanese students and aiding the growth of the church.

Elsie was a dedicated home maker and mother of three children – Billy, Becky and Tom, all of whom are walking in her footsteps as she walked in the footsteps of her Lord.

When in the providence of God Bill and Elsie were unable to return to Japan after fifteen years of service, she put her teaching skills to work, ably teaching second grade at the Pilgrim Academy, a Christian schoolin Galloway Township, NJ.

Elsie had a trove of funny stories from her childhood which she delighted to tell for the amusement of all who would listen.She will be fondly remembered for her cheerful spirit, her sense of humor, and her ready wit.

A memorial service will be held in Ellingsworth Auditorium at QPRC on Tuesday, February 18 at 11:00 A.M.Interment will take place in the Quarryville Cemetery Tuesday at 10:00 A.M.
Arrangements entrusted to Reynolds Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc.