Emery Goodling Thurston, 90, of Mechanicsburg, PA died March 12, 2015 at Holy Spirit Hospital.

Born in Iselin, PA, he was son of the late Emery G. Thurston and Ethel Mae (Cunningham) Thurston.

He was a graduate of Patton Trade School in Elizabethtown and then Carnegie Tech in 1949 with a degree in architecture.

After being in private practice, he began working for the State of Pennsylvania, eventually becoming Director of the Department of Engineering and Architecture. He retired in 2004 and resided in Bethany Village. Emery was Past Master of Ellwood City Masonic Lodge (Past Master), and a member of Valley of Harrisburg Scottish Rite, Zembo Shrine (Harrisburg), Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation, National Trust for Historical Preservation, The Nature Conservancy, and Friends of the Smithsonian.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jo Anne Nelson. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Jean E. Thurston of Mechanicsburg; two sons, S. Eric Thurston in Pacific Grove, CA; D. Kirk Thurston (Cynthia) in Camp Hill, PA; one daughter, Donna Freet (Richard) in Yorktown, VA; two grandchildren, Kevin Freet (Kelly) in State College, PA, Jennifer Chick (Michael) in Arlington VA; and three great grandchildren, Parker and Campbell Chick and Kendall Freet.

A memorial service will be held at Bethany Village East Community Room, 325 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg, on March 16 at 10:00 AM with The Reverend Dr. Brand Eaton officiating and Rabbi Peter Kessler of Temple Ohev Sholom assisting. Refreshments and visitation will follow the service.

A funeral service officiated by The Reverend Gary Bruland will be held at West Shore Baptist Church, 21st and Market Sts, Camp Hill, on March 17 at 10:00, with visitation at 9:30 AM. Internment at St. John's Cemetery in Camp Hill will follow the service. Myers-Harner funeral Home, Camp Hill, is handling funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Bethany Village Care Assurance Fund, 325 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg PA, 17055. www.myers-harner.com

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Published on Pennlive.com and in The Patriot-News on Mar. 15, 2015