Obituary

Eugene Thornhill, 96 McPherson, formerly of Halstead, died Friday, April 18, 1997 at Memorial Hospital in McPherson. He was born April 15, 1901 at Halstead, the son of Ellis and Alice Harshfield Thornhill. Growing up in Halstead, he attended Halstead schools graduating in 1920. At 15, he started working as a barber and in August 1917, he received his Master Barber license. With his brother, Marion, he purchased a barbershop in Halstead on August 18, 1918, which they operated while they finished high school. He owned barbershops in Wichita and Sacramento, California. He retired in 1972 after 65 years of barbering. In July 1990 he moved to McPherson.

He attended the First Baptist Church in McPherson; was a member of First United Methodist Church where he served as trustee; was a former member of the Halstead Chamber of Commerce, serving as president for four years and secretary for three years; was a member and president of the Halstead Municipal Band; and a member of the Boy Scout Committee. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and served the Halstead Odd Fellows Lodge as secretary for 17 years. He was active in the Grand Lodge of Kansas Odd Fellows and was Grand Master in 1929-1940. He was also a charter member of the State Secretaries Scribes Clerks Association, Odd Fellows of Kansas, serving that organization as secretary-treasurer for 30 years. During World War II, he was chairman of the Five War Bond Sales and Chairman of the Red Cross.

On March 30, 1923, he married Ruth a Lentz at Newton. She died March 15, 1988. On July 21, 1990, he married Thora D. Fry at Halstead. She survives.

Other survivors; daughter Colleen Unruh, Halstead; brother, Kenneth, Hutchinson; stepsons, Lee Fry, Salina and Dick Fry, Inman; granddaughter, Janeen Unruh, grandsons, Morrie Unruh, Bradley Unruh and Lance Thornhill and eight great grandchildren.

Services were Monday, April 21, 1997 at the First United Methohdist Church iin Halstead. Burial was in Halstead Cemetery.