Florence “Evelyn” ThorntonSand Springs, OK

Florence “Evelyn” Thornton, 93, of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, passed away September 1, 2026, at her home. She was born July 11, 1933, in Adrian, Missouri, the daughter of Otto and Florence (Wolfe) Eachus. Evelyn has resided in Sand Springs since March of 2023, formerly of Chase, Kansas. She graduated from Chase High School, with the class of 1951. Evelyn was a homemaker and worked in retail at several different businesses. She attended Reformation Church, Tulsa, and was a member of the Chase Senior Center. Evelyn loved playing cards with her friends at the Senior Center in Chase, and Bingo and Farkle with friends in Sand Springs. She enjoyed most of all being with her family. On November 5, 1953, Evelyn married Frank Mellott in Lyons, Kansas. He preceded her in death on September 1, 1987. On October 13, 2000, Evelyn married Johnnie Thornton in Ellsworth, Kansas. He preceded her in death on December 27, 2018. She is also preceded in death by her parents; son, Dennis White; two brothers, Otto “Bud” Eachus and John Reed “J.R.” Eachus; sister, Annabelle LaFleur; grandson, Lucien Mellott; and great-grandson, J.T. Medina. Evelyn is survived by her two children, Sharon McKee (Michael) of Oronoco, MN and Joe Mellott (Michelle) of Grandview, MO; stepdaughter, Sheryl Bass (Jimmy) of Chase, KS; two stepsons, Darren Thornton of Paola and Steven Thornton (Sandy) of Russell, KS; sister-in-law, Harriet Ward of Chase, KS; twelve grandchildren, Jerry (Alyssa), Dani (Darrel), Robert (KatieAnn), Nicci (John), Seth (Elly), Jay (Beasan), Andy (Dara), Crystal, Barbara, Hannah (Clayton), Jake, and Brandon; twenty-three great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and two nieces, Kay Thompson of Wichita, KS and Debbie Oberlie of Chase, KS. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday, September 4, 2026, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with family present. Funeral will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, Burial will follow at Fairmount Lonestar Cemetery, Newton, Kansas at 3:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to the Chase Senior Center in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.