Obituaries

MELVIN “BUTCH” THORN

Melvin “Butch” Thorn, 73, of Beckley, WV (formerly Mullens, WV) went to his eternal home September 10, 2021, in the Beckley VA Medical Center after a long illness. 

Born March 31, 1948, in Mullens, WV, Butch was the son of the late Herbert Thorn and Laura Mary Thorn. He is preceded in death by his brother, Leslie Thorn and sisters Charlotte Epling and Freda Fitzgerald. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Kathy Thorn; son Keith Thorn and his wife Sara; daughter Karen Dickens and her husband Shannon and grandson Dylan Dickens all of Beckley; three brothers Danny and wife Joyce of Blacksburg, VA, Frank “Hogie” and wife Cindy of Hampton, VA, and Terry and wife Karen of Mullens, WV, several nieces and nephews. 

Butch made his home in Mullens, WV for 70 years before moving to Beckley in 2018. He attended Faith Community Church in Beckley. Butch retired from the Wyoming County Board of Education, Maintenance Department. He was well known for making his deer jerky, banana peppers and pickles, which he shared with everyone. 

A Celebration of Life will be 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens with Pastor Jason Lowe officiating. 

Friends may call one hour prior to services Wednesday at the funeral home. 

In honoring Butch’s wishes, the family requests a casual dress. 

In keeping with his wishes, cremation will follow. 

While masks are not required, you might consider wearing one before entering the building, and social distancing as we all attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Faith Community Church PO Box 773, Beckley WV 25801 or online at www.fccwv.org/give

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tankersleyfh.com 

The family of Butch Thorn is being cared for by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.