Doris Cipriano Thonen

On August 19, 2026, Doris Cipriano Thonen, 87, passed away in Sumter, South Carolina, her home for more than 50 years. Doris was born and raised in Ravenna, Ohio.  She was the daughter of the late Dominic and Viola Cipriano. She often traveled back and forth caring for her elderly parents, with Dominic living long enough to celebrate his 100th birthday.

Doris is survived by her twin sister Mary Silva, PhD, of Fairfax, Virginia, and her younger brother Lt. Col. (Ret.) John Cipriano of Mill Creek, Washington. She was preceded in death by her husband Lt. Col. (Ret.) Paul Thonen (1938-1997) who flew military missions over Vietnam. They married in 1961, with Doris walking down the aisle in a wedding dress and veil that she made and designed. This marked the start of a twenty-year Air Force career and the beginning of a memorable four-year tour in Japan. She later traveled extensively throughout Europe, visiting historic sites and art museums, including the Vatican, Louvre, Prado, and the Rijks. But her thoughts often turned to fond memories from back home - love of family and laughter shared with good friends.

More memories surfaced where in 1960, Doris and Paul (the cool guy on campus driving his MG) both graduated from Kent State University, where Doris received her Bachelor’s Degree in education. She then taught in Mentor, Ohio, and later at a Yokota AFB dependent school in Japan. Next came deployment to Shaw AFB in Sumter, South Carolina, where their two daughters were born and raised, both graduating from Clemson University. Now the timing was right for Doris to continue her education, returning to college, taking mostly literature classes, and always enjoying the ambiance of strolling on campus or of attending an inspirational service at the Shaw AFB Chapel. But even more inspiring were the treasured words seen on a porcelain plate hanging on the kitchen wall as Doris was growing up in Ohio. It partially read, “…any good that I can do or any kindness I can show, let me do it now, let me not neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” (William Penn 1644 - 1718)

She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery alongside her heroic husband, who was previously laid to rest with prayers, flags, and a heartfelt twenty-one-gun salute.

Doris is survived by her two daughters, Kimberly Thonen Ethridge (Pat) and Stephanie Thonen Heath (Jim); four grandchildren, Mary Copeland Jones (Chris), Taylor Heath (Jenna), Morgan Ethridge and Stephen Ethridge; and a great-granddaughter, Harper Lee Jones. She is also survived by several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Bullock Funeral Home, where family will receive visitors one hour before the service.

 If so desired, memorials may be personally chosen or made to the Friends of Swan Lake Gardens (822 West Liberty Street, Sumter, SC 29150). For all caring thoughts and kind remembrances, we send our love and deepest gratitude.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

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