Helen Thorton

Helen Louise Thornton, 69, of Blue Springs, MO passed away Thursday, January 22, 2004 at her home. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 26, at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, with burial at Blue Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday at the chapel. Helen was born on January 25, 1934 in Lincoln, NE to Lewis and Grace Temple. At the age of 3 weeks old, her mother died in a fire. She and her sister went to live with Ralph and Katie Harder of Independence, MO, who became their foster parents. Helen loved her family, traveling and her Kansas City Chiefs. She retired from Lake City Ammunition Plant in 1994 after several years of service. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rhonda Mabe Crutchfield; and two brothers, Lewis and Burnard Temple. She is survived by her husband, William "Bill� Thornton; two sons, Steven Mabe with wife Rosie of Blue Springs, and Michael Thornton of Grain Valley; one daughter, Teresa Jones with husband Doyal of Blue Springs; two brothers, Jack Temple of KC, MO and William Temple of Mohave Valley, AZ; one sister, Betty Harder Price of Bend, OR; one half sister, Helen Schwichtenberg of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren, Wayne Crutchfield, Luke and Brooke Mabe, Megan and Cody Jones; and several nephews and nieces.