Ethan Silverthorne

Ethan F. Silverthorne, age 93, of Greenville, went to his Heavenly home on Monday, January 9, 2023 with his family by his side. The seventh of nine children born to Hugh D. & Lillian Josephine (Sass) Silverthorne, Ethan attended Greenville High School and was a lifelong resident of the Greenville community. Born at the onset of the Great Depression, Ethan learned the value of responsibility and hard work at a young age. One of his first jobs as a youngster was setting pins in a bowling alley, which sparked a love of the game that lasted a lifetime. A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Ethan served his country during the Korean War as a tank driver and was a longstanding member of the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 in Greenville. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned home and married the love of his life, Ruth Schalow of Belding on May 1, 1953 at the First United Methodist Church in Greenville. Ethan and Ruth shared fifteen years of marriage and raised three children. Their love story was cut short by the unexpected death of Ruth on September 24, 1968. On April 28, 1972, in Greenville, he married Virginia M. (Gage) Gamm and added four step-sons to his family. Together they enjoyed almost 40 years of marriage until Virginia passed away on April 20, 2012. Ethan's love of bowling during the winter months was only eclipsed by his love of golfing in warmer months. He was fond of laughingly saying, "Drive for the show, putt for the dough, chip for the win." He had a keen sense of humor and, unlike many, could laugh at himself. Ethan worked for Federal Mogul in Greenville for thirty-three years before retiring in 1986. He had a huge love of family and the responsibility that went with that love. He was always available to be of service to any family member--from taking them to appointments, to mowing their lawns, to working on building projects for them, and having an ear and shoulder when family needed him. He always made time for family and, when he was still mobile, he would visit those that were unable to get out of their homes. One was never lonely, as he would show up unexpectedly just for a visit that would wind up adding much needed light and laughter to their day. He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Ruth Silverthorne and Virginia Silverthorne; four sisters, Donna Krampe, Dorothy Williams, Frances Merren, and Marjorie Ingersoll; and three brothers, Bud Silverthorne, Robert Silverthorne, and Harry Silverthorne; a step-son, James Gamm; and a great-grandson, Maddox Silverthorne. Ethan will be missed beyond measure by his children, Ethan Jr. & Debbie Silverthorne of Greenville, Gail & Stephen Maag of Belding, and Wendy & Neil Winters of Sidney; a sister, Virginia Lincoln of Greenville; step-sons, Richard & Gillian Gamm of Lowell, Jonathan & Loretta Gamm of Grand Haven, Robert & Julie Gamm of Midland; a step-daughter-in-law, Merry Gamm of Rockford; his grandchildren, Kristie Covert, Stephen Maag II, Abigail Maag, Annabel Maag, Aliviah Maag, Aimee Johnson, Ashley Winters-Horton, Jacob Winters, Ethan Silverthorne III, and Spencer Silverthorne; his great-grandchildren: Zoey Peterson, Evan Vos, Jordyn Maag, Keira Maag, Keaton Johnson, Ashton Johnson, Cohen Winters-Horton, Lucille Winters-Horton, Andrew Winters-Horton, Ethan Silverthorne IV, Paxton Silverthorne, Spencer Silverthorne, Jr., and Grayson Silverthorne; one great-great grandson, Camden Olson; his special friend, Carolyn Lafferty of Rockford; and many, many nieces and nephews. Honoring Ethan's wishes, private family services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Greenville, with the Rev. Jeff Williams, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating. Military honors will be rendered by the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 and burial, beside the love of his life, Ruth, will take place at Rest Haven Memory Gardens, Belding. Instead of flowers, Ethan would have appreciated contributions in his memory to the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post No. 101, 1320 W. Washington Street, Greenville, MI 48838. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ethan Silverthorne, please visit our flower store.