Julius W. “Jay” Thornsberry, age 80 of Batesville, died Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Heritage Spring Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in West Chester, Ohio. Born February 16, 1936 in Littcarr, Kentucky, he is the son of Dorothy (Nee: Young) and Whitt Thornsberry. He married Mary Flaspohler August 6, 1955 at St. Mary’s of The Rock Church. He worked for Contel/Verizon Phone Company as a lineman and supervisor 28 years before retiring in 1990. He was also a member of St. Louis Church, Batesville Eagles #1130 and was a former member of the Batesville Fire Department.
Jay had many interests. He was an avid basketball fan, a long time league bowler and enjoyed stopping at yard sales, where apparently he couldn’t resist bringing home radio’s and bikes. Jay also liked to go for rides with Mary that usually ended up including a stop or two at car lots along the way. For many years he helped fry chicken for the church festival and was a big Kentucky fan regardless of the sport. The family also mentioned that he would feed the squirrels on his deck. If they got there before he did, they’d bang on the door to let him know it’s feeding time. The kids also teased that dad was an armchair politician and had CNN or Fox News on the television most of the time. Family, though, is what was most important to him. Jay loved having them around and would have been happy to have everybody under one roof. He enjoyed attended all of his children and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events.
He is survived by his wife Mary; daughters Wilma (Joseph) Soular, Julie Day, Mary Jane Harmeyer, all of Batesville; sons Marv (Deanna) of New Palestine, Indiana, Shorty (Becky) of Morris, Tom (Jill) of Batesville; sister Lois Jean Turner of Shelbyville, Kentucky; brother David of Batesville; 18 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his son David; sisters Bethel Seals, Nettie Bentley, Ethel Vance; brother Russell Thornsberry and granddaughter Erin Thornsberry.
Visitation is Saturday, June 4th, from 9 – 11 a.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home. Funeral services follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Louis Church with Rev. Stan Pondo officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Batesville Fire Department or the Ronald McDonald House.