Jean Rae Thornton

Jean Rae Thornton, 83, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan. Jean was a long-time resident of the community.

Jean was born on April 16, 1941, in Horton, Kansas, the daughter of Thomas Earl and Alice (Thompson) Coffman. She attended grade school and Horton High School. She married Willie “Bill” Sullivan on May 12, 1959, in Manhattan. They traveled to Germany with his deployment. They were later divorced. Then on May 26,1983 Jean married Gary Thornton. They shared forty-one years together living their lives and enjoying their family. Gary survives at their home.

Jean worked for several years as the head cook for USD 430 in Horton. After moving to Wamego, she was a chiropractic assistant helping with the radiology. Jean also worked as a funeral assistant for RJ Evans Mortuary in Wamego. During her childhood in Horton, she was a Girl Scout and VFW Majorette. While raising her children she was a Cub Scout Leader, Brownie Leader, Girls Scout Leader and assisted with the Boy Scout program. Jean was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church and an active member of the Women’s Guild.

Jean was an accomplished seamstress making her children’s clothes for many years. She also enjoyed quilting and needlepoint. She enjoyed family vacations, camping, canoeing and doing genealogy. Jean and Gary eventually started wintering in Naples, Florida and they enjoyed traveling making many trips including Hawaii, and several Caribbean Islands. They also made religious trips to Rome and Medjugorje.

Jean is also survived by her children; Russell Sullivan, Atchison, Connie Yaussi (Alan) Hiawatha, Barbara Welch (Doug), Horton, Brenda Buttron (Karl), Lancaster, Cathy Nigus (Robert Rork), Horton, Andrea Green (Jim), Halstead, Connie Donato (John Simone), Palm City, Florida, Son-in-Law Michael Donato, Naples, Florida, Randy Thornton, Horton. Her 17 grandchildren Sean Yaussi (Ashley), Steven Welch (Jennifer), Josh Green (Amy), Avery Thornton, Rusty Sullivan, Carey Green (Mike), Kayla Martinez (Alex), Mindi Forkenbrock (Jeremy), Jamie Madison (Adam), Vanessa Roloff (Jason), Abbey Herrera (Agustin), Jake Nigus (Kayla Jo), Jessica Stuart (James), Cara Nigus, Joseph Nigus (Shania), Samantha Green, Zach Donato (Kristin). 35 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great-Great Grandchild, her sister Joyce Olberding (Eldon), Seneca, Brother-in-Law Louie Gracheck,Sister-in-laws: Loretta Puvogel (Leonard), Eileen Fleshman, MaryAnn Wenz, Linda Wagner (Dan), Brother-in-law Stan Thornton (Brenda). Several Nieces and Nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Great Granddaughter Josie Stuart, a Son-in-Law Gary Nigus, her siblings, Johnie Coffman, Della Hartley, Mary Alice Coffman, Alberta “Red” Grauer, Cleo Coffman, and Cecil Coffman. Brother-in-laws Ed Fleshman and Don Wenz.

 Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, February 7, 2025, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wamego. Father Mike Peterson will be the Celebrant. Burial will follow at Wamego City Cemetery. Jean will lie-in-state, beginning at 3:00 pm, Thursday, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home where the family will greet friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A rosary prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made out to St. Bernard Catholic Church, Pottawatomie County EMS or Good Shepherd Hospice House and sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.