Helen June Thornton, 91, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at a local health care facility. She was born March 30, 1932 in St. Joseph, Missouri, daughter of Margaret & Jesse Hendrix. She attended Benton High School. She worked at Whitaker Cable, Sherwood Medical, Noma Lites, and the Snow White Restaurant. She married Cecil Thornton on May 28, 1960, and they shared 63 years together. She had a great love for gardening. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, step-daughter, Patricia Patanaittikul, brothers, Jerry, Francis, Tommy, and Melvin Hendrix, and half sister, Anna May Goodpasture. She is survived by husband, Cecil Thornton of the home, children, Marie (Arnold "Ozzy") Jensen of St. Joseph, Penny (Jack) Gastineau of Hiawatha, KS, Gary (Valerie) Elder of St. Joseph, step son, James (Keiko) Thornton of Lyle, WA, brother, Ben Hendrix, 15 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Celebration of Life from 2 - 4 pm on Tuesday, January 2, 2023 at Rupp Funeral Home. She will be cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home.
