Joseph M. Thurston

~~Lowville- Joseph M. Thurston, 70, of McMullin Road, husband of Mary, passed away after a short illness, while surrounded by the loving care of his family, on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown. Affectionately known by family and friends as Joe, he was born in Oswego, on September 29, 1946, and was raised in Oswego by Francis H. and Alice Thurston Fetterly. Joe graduated from Oswego High School; immediately thereafter he entered the U.S. Army, serving his country for 20 years. During his military career Mr. Thurston made three tours of duty in the Viet Nam War and was stationed stateside, in Germany and Korea. For much of his army career, he was Department head of the US Army Motor Pool; in 1985, he was honorably discharged with rank of Master Sergeant. Following his military career, Mr. Thurston was employed for several years as a construction laborer for Teamsters Laborer Union at Stebbins Engineering Co. of Watertown. Joe greatly enjoyed a long hobby and later second career in leather crafting. He was a self-taught and very talented leather crafter creating hand sewn wallets, purses, belts and holsters, which he displayed and sold at his J.&M. Crafts, a business he operated for many years at his residence. On October 23, 1972, Joe was united in marriage with Mary Buffington in State Line, NV. In addition to his wife, Joe is survived by one daughter, Marylynn (Thurston) Twisdale and husband, Kevin, Virginia Beach, VA; two step sons, Jeffrey Brian (Roxanne) Caillier, Port Leyden and Charles Leon Caillier, San Francisco, CA, his mother, Alice Fetterly, Boonville; several grandchildren; two sisters, Joyce (David) Payne, Boonville and Lynn (Earl) Lennox, Norfolk, VA. In keeping with Joes wishes, there will be no calling hours and services will be private at the convenience of his family in Boonville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076. Arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. Boonville.