Dennis “Denny” Thorsell, 78, of Burbank, Ohio, passed away on February 28. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 3, 1938, he dreamed of being a cowboy and spent the rest of his life living that dream. He was a life member of the American Quarter Horse Association and a founding member of the Northern Ohio Quarter Horse Association.

In 1997, he was elected to the OQHA board of directors and served as Tri-Chairman at the All American Quarter Horse Congress since 2005. In 2014, he was inducted into the Ohio Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. Denny was a respected trainer of cutting, pleasure and halter horses and had several world champions. Denny was an AQHA judge, judging horse shows in more than 33 countries, including the AQHA World Championship Show. He successfully bred bucking bulls, having numerous bucking bulls of the year. His company, Creek Bend Bucking Bulls, was awarded Sebra stock contractor of the year three times.

In addition to all of his achievements, the greatest accomplishment of his life was his family. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 48 years, Eileen; son, Shawn Thorsell; daughters, Debbie Polk, Deanna (Herb) Nye, Shannon (Alan) Waggoner and Charis Thorsell; his grandchildren, Tony, Justin, Charla, Dennis, Zach, Colton, Logan, Lauren, Tristian, Chloe, Ace and Addalynn, and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Robert (Bobbie) Thorsell, sister-in-law, Kathy; brother-in-law, Dale; his uncle, Robert Brown; and many nieces and nephews, including his special niece, Joy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Florence Thorsell and a great-granddaughter, Natalie.

Services will be Saturday at noon at West Hill Baptist Church in Wooster, Ohio, with Pastor Mark Davenport officiating. A private family burial will be at Canaan Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 4-7 p.m. at West Hill Baptist Church, 2241 Mechanicsburg Road, Wooster, OH 44691 and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Denny Thorsell Bull Rider’s Relief Fund at any Huntington Bank.

Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com. Murray Funeral Home in Creston, Ohio, is handling arrangements.