Michael David Thornsbury, 69, of Loogootee, IN, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, at Heart to Heart Hospice in Evansville, IN. He was born on February 19, 1957, in Columbus, Ohio.
Mike served in the US Air Force as an Aircraft Mechanic and Crew Chief. After leaving the USAF, he continued his love of Aviation and country by obtaining his Federal Aviation Administration Certification and Aircraft Inspector’s License. Employed as a Military Aviation Contractor for the Navy, Air Force, and Army until he retired.
His duty stations included: Seymour Johnson AFB-NC, Shaw AFB-SC, Kadena AFB-Okinawa, Japan, Osan AB-South Korea, Luke AFB-AZ, NSA-Naples, Italy. Ramstein AFB-Ramstein GE, Camp Lemonnier-Djibouti, Africa, AAF-Wiesbaden, Germany, NAS Patuxent River-MD, Andrews AFB-MD, Peterson AFB-CO and Sheppard AFB-TX.
Mike’s passions included restoration projects; he loved making old things look new and useful again. Drawing and oil painting landscapes, collecting model trains and die-cast cars, assembling aircraft models, and helping anyone who needed mechanical assistance. His shop was his happy place.
Mike was always seen in the neighborhood or village abroad, walking his fur girls, Chow Chows Mattie and Mya.
Preceding him in death: his mother, Mildred (Fugitte) Dunnigan; his son, Michael Thornsbury II; and his brothers, James and Charles Thornsbury.
He is survived by his wife, Melana (Carey) Cunningham, thirty years of love, adventures living and working abroad, RV-ing across the USA and Canada; his daughters, Beverly Varney and husband Mose, Evellyn Thornsbury of West Virginia; his eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his stepsons, Stanley Shoulders, JR of Lawrenceville, IL, and Robert Shoulders of Loogootee, Indiana.
Mike requested cremation and no formal services, with his final resting place in Veterans Park, located in Memorial Park Cemetery in Vincennes, Indiana. He would be honored if donations were made to his favorite charity, Wounded Warriors Project, at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. Online condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.fredrickandson.com. Fredrick and Son McClure-Utt Funeral Homes, Vincennes Chapel, is honored to be entrusted with Mike’s arrangements.
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