Anita Thornton

Anita June Thornton, 79, of Jerseyville, died at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Jerseyville Manor.

She was born in Brussels, Illinois on June 25, 1947, and was the daughter of the late Aloies and Beulah (Ayres) Seider.

She married Rodger Thornton on July 27, 1965, in Jerseyville, and together they shared nearly 42 years of marriage prior to his death on July 19, 2007.

Anita spent several years working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at area nursing homes, including Jerseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Caring for others came naturally to Anita, and those who had the opportunity to know her were quick to experience the kindness and gentle nature that defined her.

She enjoyed keeping busy and staying as active as she could. Anita could often be found collecting cans or making the rounds at local yard sales, always on the lookout for a treasure waiting to be discovered. Around town, she became a familiar sight behind the wheel of her little purple truck, and she will be fondly remembered for her kind smile and the simple, genuine way she treated those around her.

Surviving are a son, Anthony Wayne Thornton (Gina Nord) of Jerseyville; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, Barney Seidler of Hartford and Fred Seidler of California; and two sisters, Eileen Ramsey of Grafton and Laura Dolan of Cedar Hills, Missouri.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by six siblings, Rodney Seidler, David Seidler, William “Bill” Seider, Aloies Seidler Jr., Ricky Seidler and Shirley Keel.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Friday, September 25. 

Burial will follow at Seidler Family Cemetery in Batchtown.

Memorials may be given to Riverbend Humane Society.

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.