Velma Lorene Thornton
November 19, 1921 — October 6, 2006
Velma L. Thornton, of Eureka, died at Medicalodge of Eureka on Friday, October 6, 2006, at the age of 84.
She was born in Climax, Kansas on November 19, 1921, the daughter of Charlie and Della (Stevens) Ritter. She was raised in Climax and attended Eureka Schools, graduating from Eureka High School.
On September 9, 1939, Velma was united in marriage to Gerald Thornton in Yates Center, Kansas. They made there home in Eureka where she worked at Mildred’s Café, and Little Castle Café, before beginning a thirty year career as a cashier at Safeway. After Safeway closed she worked at Thriftway before retiring.
Velma was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Eureka, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Order of the Eastern Star.
She is survived by her husband Gerald, one son, Jerry Thornton and one daughter, Janice Chastain, all of Eureka, five grandchildren, and one sister, Beulah Simmons of Overland Park. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Ronnie, two brothers, and one sister.
Graveside services and interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery on Monday, October 9, 2006, at 2:00 P.M.
Memorials have been established in her name to Medicalodge of Eureka and Greenwood County Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, Kansas 67045 which was in charge of service arrangements.
She was born in Climax, Kansas on November 19, 1921, the daughter of Charlie and Della (Stevens) Ritter. She was raised in Climax and attended Eureka Schools, graduating from Eureka High School.
On September 9, 1939, Velma was united in marriage to Gerald Thornton in Yates Center, Kansas. They made there home in Eureka where she worked at Mildred’s Café, and Little Castle Café, before beginning a thirty year career as a cashier at Safeway. After Safeway closed she worked at Thriftway before retiring.
Velma was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Eureka, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Order of the Eastern Star.
She is survived by her husband Gerald, one son, Jerry Thornton and one daughter, Janice Chastain, all of Eureka, five grandchildren, and one sister, Beulah Simmons of Overland Park. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Ronnie, two brothers, and one sister.
Graveside services and interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery on Monday, October 9, 2006, at 2:00 P.M.
Memorials have been established in her name to Medicalodge of Eureka and Greenwood County Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, Kansas 67045 which was in charge of service arrangements.
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