Mildred J. Thorpe

Mildred J. Thorpe, age 93, of Beavercreek, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 19, 2025. Jean was a hard worker and was all in on whatever the task. She spent 19 years as a supervisor at Sunshine Biscuit Company and 6 years at Frigidaire. Jean married the love of her life, James Thorpe. The two of them were a fabulous team for 64 years until Jim passed away. Jean had an exemplary work ethic and if there was ever downtime, she found ways to make herself useful. She did enjoy watching Huckabee on TV and participating in her widows’ group, and she looked beautiful in blue. Earlier in years, Jean was also an amazing cook and a very talented seamstress. She made beautiful prom and graduation dresses for her daughters and spent time sewing for the Widow’s Home of Dayton. She made sure her family enjoyed delicious home cooked meals every day-well, almost every day. Chef Boyardee gave her a break and made a regular appearance for Sunday night dinners. Along with Jim, Jean believed in being financially responsible. Before there was enough money to buy a washer and dryer for their home, going to the laundromat was an exciting family adventure! Jean made sure she stretched whatever resources she had available. That included washing out and reusing plastic bags, not running water unnecessarily, and turning out the lights when she left a room. Being wasteful was not in her DNA. The one luxury she afforded herself was having her hair “done” every two weeks. Jean and Jim were the epitome of financial responsibility. They always stayed focused on their goals for the future. “You save and then you buy” was a philosophy that drove the household. When asked, “what if I can’t afford to save?”, the answer was always, “you can’t afford NOT to save”. Jean adored Jim. When he was driving, she would slide over next to him and put her arm around his shoulders. They were fun dance partners, and Jean loved to do the Jitterbug across the kitchen floor. She could cut a rug! Jean approached life with tenacity and purpose. She was resilient and acted with integrity. When she faced her own battle with breast cancer, she went through everything like it was just another challenge to work through in life. And, when Jim had a stroke, her devotion to him was never more inspiring. Jean was determined to honor her commitment to her love for him in sickness and health and cared for him in their home. She made sure his needs were met, and he would never need to go to a nursing home. Jean was a woman of deep faith. She loved The Church of God and Dayton Vineyard Church. She believed in spending time exploring God’s Word and enjoyed her Bible study group. At last count, she had read the Bible eleven times. Jean loved Billy Graham and gospel music. She lived by faith and looked forward to experiencing the joy of Heaven; eager to see Jim almost as much as being with Jesus. Patriotism ran deep for Jean. Jim had served our country in the military, and she was incredibly proud of her grandsons, Tommy and Cory, when they decided to carry on the tradition. She loved her country and would sing the National Anthem with pride and gratitude for the United States of America. From Jean’s perspective, the sacrifices made for freedom should be valued and never taken for granted. Family was everything to Jean. Investing time with them was intentional and meaningful. When the children were young, Jean made sure she was able to be there for them. She got them off to school and Jim tucked them in bed at night when Jean was working. There was time for playing Monopoly in front of the fire on Saturday nights, too. Attending church on Sundays followed by visits with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins made for special memories. There were annual family picnics on Labor Day at Uncle Gerald’s and Frigidaire Park gatherings on all the traditional holidays. Christmas was spent enjoying good times with family at Grandma and Grandpa Rawlins’ home. And of course, celebrating Easter, Thanksgiving, and birthdays were other reasons to spend time together. Each year on Memorial Day weekend, the Thorpe family went “down home” to Kentucky where Jean and Jim, Uncle Gerald and Aunt Ella Mae would set up a campsite. Under the camping tarp, rain or shine, Jean and Aunt Ella Mae would cook everything from beef stroganoff to biscuits and gravy. From the early mornings when the rooster woke everyone up with his crowing through the evenings settling in and sitting by the fire, the family enjoyed horseshoes, volleyball, and euchre. Things really got going with sharing a little moonshine, dancing and partying. On Sunday, there would be a huge family reunion with the best food imaginable and family reconnecting with those who had stayed in Beattyville and those who had traveled from out of town. Jean always put others before herself. She wanted her children to be prepared for the world. That would require discipline and boundaries. Most times “because I said so” was the response given to a persistent question. Some things she taught her kids, which, perhaps, we all might consider were: Always be kind and generous, you never know what someone is going through. God is your one constant, and He blesses you with challenges. Supporting and appreciating the best country in the world is a given. Honesty and integrity define your character. Do it right, or don’t do it at all – that’s where your pride lies. If you think you’ve got it rough, there’s always someone who’s got it worse. Denial only works until you have the strength to change course. Thanks, Mom, for the strength to rise above every challenge God has given us. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, James Thorpe; her grandson, Cory Thorpe; and son-in-law, Walt Sarapata. Jean is survived by her loving children, Cathy Sarapata, Jo Stewart, and Jim Thorpe II; grandchildren Jennifer (Dion), Tommy (Mo), Jessica, James III (Michelle), and Brandon; great-grandchildren Phoebe (Alex), Annie (Paul), Cora, Joshua, Caleb, Lilly, and Emery; great-great-grandchildren EJ and Daphne; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jean's family would like to express gratitude to Brookdale of Kettering, Beavercreek Post Acute, and Hospice. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday October 27, 2025 at Dayton Vineyard Church, 4081 Indian Ripple Road, Beavercreek. Rick and Tammy Harrison will be officiating. The family will greet guests from 12:00 Noon until time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Valley View Memorial Gardens, Xenia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jean's memory to Dayton Vineyard Church. Arrangements in care of The Final Legacy, Centerville. (reislegacycenter.com).

Mildred J. Thorpe

June 23, 1932 - October 19, 2025