Byron E. "Gene" Thatcher, 78 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2006 in the Adams Memorial Hospital located in Decatur, Indiana. Gene was born on October 11, 1927 in Van Wert, County, Ohio, the son of the late Herbert Thatcher and the late Goldie (Carmean) Thatcher. He married Janice Dull on December 31, 1950 in St. Paul United Church of Christ near Van Wert, Ohio. Gene was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ near Van Wert, Ohio for 54 years. He was a member of Teamster Union 414 for 26 years, the Elk's Lodge #993 in Decatur, Indiana and the American Legion Post #43 in Decatur. Gene served his country in the United States Navy from 1946-1948. He retired in 1980 from Transport Motor Express after 25 years of service and then worked for Don Ray Drive-A-Way of Decatur for 20 years. Surviving are his wife, Jan Thatcher of Decatur, Indiana, son, Thane (Stella) Thatcher of Columbus, Ohio, son, Scott (Anne) Thatcher of Cincinnati, Ohio, sister, Ruth Riley of Van Wert, Ohio, sister, Rosalie (Floyd) Kirkland of DeBary, Florida, brother, Noel (Barb) Thatcher of Decatur, Indiana, sister-in-law, Janice Thatcher of Decatur, Indiana, sister-in-law, Patricia Thatcher of Sanford, Florida, twelve grandchildren, Jennifer (Tim) Herr of Hilliard, Ohio; Jackie (Kevin) Looby of Hockessing, Delaware; Jodi (Jerrett) Gordon of Columbus, Ohio; Collin, Andrew, Catherine, Patrick, Elizabeth, Scott Jr., Margaret, Rachel, and Mary Hannah Thatcher of Cincinnati, Ohio; and three great-grandchildren, Ryan Thane Herr, Emilie McKenzie Herr, and Lillie Renae Herr, all of Hilliard, Ohio. Preceding Gene in death were two sisters, Myrna Riley and Marilyn Callow and two brothers, Graydon and Merlin Thatcher. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, September 17, 2006 in the St. Paul United Church of Christ, 6299 Germann Church Road, Van Wert, Ohio with Rev. Jerry Flueckiger officiating. Interment will follow in the Protestant Evangelical Cemetery, rural Wren, Ohio. Friends will be received from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, September 16, 2006 in the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana and one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday. There will be an Elk's Memorial Service at 12:45 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to St. Paul United Church of Christ.
