On the 12th day of May 2011, Mildred Thornton, a gentle loving servant of God went to rest awaiting the Judgment Day.

Mildred May (Wiltfong) Thornton was born Aug. 9, 1916 in Oronoque, Kan., the third of eight children to Franklin Elver and Lillie May (Camp) Wiltfong. When Mildred was 13-years-old the family moved to Oroville. When she arrived in Washington she declared that she did not like the mountains and wanted to return to Kansas, she later learned to love the mountains.

To help with family expenses Mildred quit school in the eighth grade and worked various jobs such as the tomato cannery and orchards in the Oroville area. It was while working in an orchard that she met the love of her life, Mike Thornton. They were married Dec. 6, 1933. They lived in the Tonasket area for the rest of their lives. They had five children and lived a country life. Besides raising a garden, canning and freezing food for the family, her yard was always a showplace. She had a way with flowers and they showed off for her. She was very active in the Ellisforde Grange, Grange Auxiliary and the Women’s Wednesday Club. For many years she sorted apples, until Mike decided she should retire. She and Mike loved to travel. They had many friends, their house was always open and friends were welcome and if it was mealtime they would be fed.

Mildred was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Tonasket where she volunteered at The Dorcas sorting clothing and making quilts. Mildred and Mike celebrated 59 years of marriage before he passed away in 1993. Mildred sold their country home and moved into an apartment in Tonasket. When she needed help her children took charge and cared for her until she suffered a stroke in July of 2007 and spent the remainder of her time at North Valley Nursing Home in Tonasket. She always received great care thanks to all the wonderful staff.

Mildred is survived by four children Nathan (Buck) and his wife Diane of Port Angeles, Wash., Carmen Duncan of Tonasket, Margaret and her husband Richard LaMonte of Omak and Mary Jane and her husband, Walter Fox of Kingman, Ariz.; two sisters Violet Cherrington of Seattle and Frances Morris and her husband Johnny in College Place, Wash.; 15 Grandchildren, 39 Great Grandchildren and 18 Great-Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Mike; one son, Howard Mikel Jr.; her parents and five of her siblings: Bertha O’Grady, Ella Jane (Janie) LeMaster, Franklin Wiltfong, I.E. (Buster) Wiltfong and Fern Anderson.

Funeral Services will be held at the Tonasket Seventh Day Adventist Church on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 11 a.m., followed by a brief ceremony before interment beside her husband and son at the Tonasket Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the North Valley Nursing Home in Tonasket or to a charity of choice.

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket in care of arrangements.