Arden R. Thorne

Zoom Link for Remote Viewing of Service

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5258578034?pwd=VnFTOFlwR20xUzFmMFBWWmtYK0J0Zz09

Meeting ID: 525 857 8034    Passcode: 172977

Arden R. Thorne was born to the late Arden R. Thorne and Ethel Edwards Thorne, a chef, and a homemaker, in New York City on August 5, 1924.  His parents would later move Arden and his sister Iola to Neptune NJ where he would attend and graduate from the Neptune Township School District and attended Montclair Junior College.

Arden would choose to serve his country by serving in the U.S. Army Engineers Aviation Battalions in the Pacific theater from November 1943 to December 1945.  He was a proud World War II Vet and member of the American Legion Post 266 of Neptune. Just recently Arden was honored for his service by the Coastal Habitat for Humanity when they replaced his roof and featured him in the newspaper and on Channel 12.  This recognition warmed his heart, and he would often be heard saying “This was the best thing anyone has ever done for me.” After the war he worked in dentistry for a while before joining the U.S. Postal Service where he would retire.

Arden married the love of his life Viola (Lofton) Thorne in 1949. From this union they would have one son Arden Hayden Thorne (deceased).  Their family would expand to include one more when one summer their nephew Brian Lofton would come to visit.  Experiencing some trouble in his own life Brian wanted to stay and with the permission of his mother he would remain in their home and be raised as their own. This life altering decision would take Brian from trouble to safety and the bond would be unbreakable.

Arden was a loving and willing servant to everyone he knew.  His heart was fond of Second Baptist Church, Asbury Park where he started his Christian foundation, and he would serve as the liaison between his home church St. Augustine’s, Second Baptist, and St. Stephens. With his membership solid and committed to St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Arden took great joy in serving on Vestry, buildings and grounds, the Men’s Club, just to name a few. One of his greatest acts of service was serving Father Williams as his personal “GPS”. He was committed to sharing the love of Christ through his actions.  You could see the RED TRUCK around town, and you knew he was making his daily stops at the church, the lawn shop, picking up food for someone and checking in on his brother Fred.

The greatest demonstration of ‘your brother’s keeper” was found in how he loved his brother.  The charge his mother gave him as a young boy to take care of his little brother continually played at the forefront of his mind. They were inseparable and found great joy in not just their brotherhood but in their friendship. In addition to his brother, Arden had a way of making you feel that your relationship was the only one that mattered. His smile and laughter would lift your heart. He loved his family. He was proud of everyone and used every moment to share his love, his joy, and his wisdom.

Arden took his eternal rest on April 23, 2022, with his niece Traci and Lyddale by his side. He was predeceased by his Parents Arden & Ethel Thorne, Brother Elmwood Edwards, Sister Iola Smith, wife Viola, and son Hayden. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving brother Frederick D. Thorne (Blanche) of Neptune, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arden R. Thorne, please visit our floral store.