SAND SPRINGS, Okla. — Florence Evelyn Thornton, 93, of Sand Springs, Okla., passed away Sept. 1, 2026, at her home. She was born July 11, 1933, in Adrian, Mo., the daughter of Otto and Florence (Wolfe) Eachus.

Florence has resided in Sand Springs since March of 2023, formerly of Chase, Kan. She graduated from Chase High School, with the class of 1951. Florence 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. Florence 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 Nov. 5, 1953, Florence married Frank Mellott in Lyons, Kan. He preceded her in death on Sept. 1, 1987. On Oct. 13, 2000, Florence married Johnnie Thornton in Ellsworth, Kan. He preceded her in death on Dec. 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. Florence is survived by her two children, Sharon McKee (Michael) of Oronoco, Minn. and Joe Mellott (Michelle) of Grandview, Mo.; stepdaughter, Sheryl Bass (Jimmy) of Chase, Kan.; two stepsons, Darren Thornton of Paola and Steven Thornton (Sandy) of Russell, Kan.; sister-in-law, Harriet Ward of Chase, Kan.; 12 grandchildren, Jerry (Alyssa), Dani (Darrel), Robert (KatieAnn), Nicci (John), Seth (Elly), Jay (Beasan), Andy (Dara), Crystal, Barbara, Hannah (Clayton), Jake, and Brandon; 23 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and two nieces, Kay Thompson of Wichita, Kan. and Debbie Oberlie of Chase, Kan.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with family present. Funeral will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at Birzer Funeral.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Home

214 West Ave. South

Lyons, KS 67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 3, 2026