Jean Thornton-Harris

Jean Rexcine Thornton-Harris, age 92, of Blue Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation in Blue Rapids.

Jean was born on June 22, 1933, in Irving, the daughter of Jefferson D. and Mildred E. (Gray) Wise. She graduated from Blue Rapids High School in 1951. Jean married William “Bill” Thornton in 1960, they later divorced. In 1998 she married Clyde Harris, he passed away in 2001.

She was a member of the Blue Rapids United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her three sons: Ronald (Laura) Thornton of Manhattan, Donald (Traci) Thornton of Manhattan, and Jeffery (Michele) Thornton of Waterville, a sister Betty Gellinger of Marysville, 10 grandchildren: Krissa Centeno, Shey Thornton, David Thornton, Sara Hunter, Lindsey Martin, Tyler Thornton, Dakota Thornton, Austen Thornton, Dustin Thornton and Jaylie Thornton, and 15 great grandchildren, along with many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Jean in death are her parents, a brother Donald Wise, a sister Wilma Pierson and Brother-in-law Jerry Gellinger.

Viewing will be from noon to 8:00 pm, Monday, October 20, 2025, the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.

Funeral services are at 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Blue Rapids United Methodist Church with Mr. Rod Christie officiating. Jim and Kim Oatney will sing “Hymn of Promise” and “Good Moring and Good Night”. The musician will be Althea Wertz. Casket Bearers are her grandsons: Shey Thornton, David Thornton, Tyler Thornton, Dakota Thornton, Austen Thornton and Dustin Thornton. Honorary Bearers are her granddaughters; Krissa Centeno, Sara Hunter, Lindsey Martin, and Jaylie Thornton. Burial is at Prospect Hill Cemetery, north of Blue Rapids.

Memorials are suggested to either the Blue Rapids United Methodist Church or the Valley Heights Food Pantry and may be sent in care of Christie-Anderes Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.

Christie-Anderes Funeral Home, Waterville, is in charge of arrangements.