Gene Thatcher

Gene Thatcher, 87, of Willshire, Ohio passed away Sunday, November 21, 2021 at his residence.

He was born on June 25, 1934, in Adams County Blue Creek Township to the late Delbert Thatcher and the late Catherine (Banning) Thatcher.

Gene was united in marriage to Vivian Ann Fuelling on June 15, 1963 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fuelling.

He served in the United States Army.

Gene is a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm where he was a church officer. He was a part of the Decatur Bible Institute and the Lutheran Layman’s League. He was a former member of the Willshire Fire Department, a Willshire Town Council member, Willshire Sportsman Club, and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #207 Willshire.

Gene graduated from Willshire High School class of 1952. He was employed with International Harvester for 34 years.

He coached farm league and little league baseball for many years.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Vivian Thatcher of Willshire, Ohio; daughter, Lynne (Mark) Yoder of Rockford, Ohio; daughter, Kendra (Dale) Heckman of Decatur, Indiana; son, Deron Thatcher of Monroeville, Indiana; daughter, Greta (Tim) Siebert of Bluffton, Indiana; son, Gary Thatcher of Decatur, Indiana; four sisters, Virgie Lister of Decatur, Indiana, Virginia (Harold) Van Horn of Decatur, Indiana, Marjorie (Larry) Hileman of Rockford, Ohio, and Darlene (Conley) Marsee of Rockford, Ohio; brother-in-law, Lowell Beougher of Celina, Ohio; and three grandchildren, Leah (Ty Buchanan) Spangler; Anthony (Shannon) Spangler and Kayla Heckman.

Gene was preceded in death by five sisters, Bonnie Sutton Ellison, Wanita Cable, Rose Johnson, Mary Dick, and Elsie Beougher; and four brothers, Reynold, Preston, Alvin “Bub”, and Joseph Thatcher.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 26, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm Ohio with Pastor Mike Saylor and Pastor Robert Becker officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Cemetery Schumm.

Graveside military honors will be provided by the Willshire American Legion Post #207.

Friends and family will be received from 2-5 & 6-8 Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to the service at Zion Lutheran Schumm on Friday.

Preferred memorials can be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm or the Willshire American Legion # 207.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, in Decatur, Indiana.