Dr. Ann Entrikin Thorne passed away peacefully at her home in rural Andrew County after a long illness January 6, 2024. She is survived by her husband of more than fifty years, Creath S. Thorne, her brother Barton Entrikin, and children, Jacob Thorne and Elizabeth Thorne Wallington (Joe), as well as six grandchildren (Annabelle, Clara, Ella, and Grace Thorne and Violet and Brendan Wallington). She is preceded in death by her father, mother, and sister Gael Entrikin.
Ann was born and raised in Columbia, Missouri, where she attended University High School and the University of Missouri, earning both a BA and MA in English. She married Creath Thorne on May 28, 1971, and they relocated to Chicago, where she worked as a professional journalist for nearly 10 years. They then moved to Carbondale, Illinois, where her son Jacob was born.
In 1981 the Thornes relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, where Ann continued to work as a journalist. Her daughter Elizabeth was born in 1984 and the family then moved to St. Joseph, Missouri. Ann began working as an instructor, eventually rising to the rank of Professor, and advisor of the Griffon Yearbook at Missouri Western, using her journalistic experience to mentor hundreds of young journalists and students. At Missouri Western, she received the Jesse Lee Myers Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007 and was named Regents Distinguished Professor with Distinction in Teaching. She also received the Missouri Governor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the highest honors at Missouri Western and across the state, in 2007. In 2019 she was inducted into the CMA hall of fame in Washington, D.C. Ann was awarded her PhD in 2002 after completing her doctoral while working full time and caring for two young children. She retired from Missouri Western in 2014, becoming professor emerita.
Ann was a member of the World’s Greatest Book Group for more than 30 years and was a member of First Christian Church in St. Joseph, where she taught Sunday school for many years. After she retired, Ann became involved in Missouri Master Naturalists as well as many other community groups. Ann loved birding, gardening, and walking outside and was passionate about her many hobbies including music and reading. She and Creath traveled extensively until her health began to decline.
Ann was a valued member of the Missouri Western faculty, and a beloved wife, mother, mentor, and friend to many. She will be deeply missed by all of those she loved.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Friday, First Christian Church. Interment Long Branch Cemetery, Avenue City, Missouri. The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:30 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missouri Western Foundation-memo Ann Thorne. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
