Paul Michael "Mike" Thornton City of Lakeland Lakeland – Paul Michael "Mike" Thornton, 57, passed away June 3, 2015. Mike was born in Lakeland on Oct. 18, 1957, and remained a lifelong resident of the area. He retired from the City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation Division after 36 years of service. He enjoyed motorcycles, cars and fishing. Mike is survived by his wife, Angelique Ward Thornton; sons, Brian Michael (Brittany) Thornton, Paul Joseph Ward, Julian "Hagen" Ward and Stephen "Daniel" Thornton; mother, Jane Evelyn Thornton; brothers, Les, Doug and Steve M. Thornton; granddaughter, Annabelle Thornton. A graveside service will be conducted at Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland on Monday, June 8th at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike's honor to Good Shepherd Hospice, 3450 Lakeland Hills Blvd. Lakeland, FL 33805