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Aug 19th, 1935 - Feb 1st, 2015Celebration of Life Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at First Christian Church of Flora
Visitation: 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at First Christian Church of Flora
Jack LaVerne Thatcher, 79, passed away Sunday, February 1, 2015, at Flora Gardens Care Center, surrounded by family.
Jack was born in Mt. Vernon, IL, on August 19, 1935, to Gladys and Kenneth Thatcher. In 1938 he moved to Flora, IL, with his mother and step-father, Tom Schnell. He attended school in Flora, graduating in 1953 from Flora High School. Jack went on to college at Southern Illinois University graduating in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. While at SIU he took part in the ROTC program moving on with the rank of second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He came back to Flora to work at the Flora Daily News for nine months until he was sent to Hawn Air Force Base in Germany. He was honorably discharged with the rank of captain in 1962.
Jack returned to college at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville where he earned a master’s degree in education in 1965.
He married Bonnie Dulaney on April 25, 1959. She survives along with their children, Jay (Jill) of Nolensville, TN, and Jackie (Joe) Brandibas of Orlando FL; four grandchildren, Jackson, Jordan, Jacklyn and Josie Thatcher of Nolensville, TN; two brothers Tom (Judy) Schnell of Creve Coeur, MO, and Bob (Jan) Thatcher of Bald Knob, AR; and one sister Linda (John) LoPorto of Fairview, TX.
Jack had a long and distinguished career in journalism and in service to the community of Flora. He and Bonnie co-owned the Clay County Advocate-Press with Roland and Rose (Born) Gill from 1973 until 1988. Jack and Bonnie went on to manage the Advocate-Press until they retired in 1998. Jack then continued to work part-time for the newspaper. During the years he worked at the newspaper, he was named to the Hall of Fame in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association for outstanding achievement in media coverage of Illinois Basketball. In 1984 he received the recognition award for distinguished service in the field of journalism at Southern Illinois University Hall of Fame.
In the community, Jack was elected mayor from 1979-1983, and city commissioner from 1987-1990. In 1987, Jack was a performer in the popular “Is We Is” video promoting building a prison in Flora. He was named the Chamber of Commerce citizen of the year in 2002. Jack worked tirelessly for 25 years to renovate and promote the Flora Depot. He presently was serving on the Flora Industrial Commission.
As a member of the First Christian Church in Flora, he was a past elder, and was serving on the Four Corners Fundraising Committee.
A Celebration of Jack’s Life will take place Tuesday, February 3 at the First Christian Church in Flora. Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m. The service begins at 11 a.m. Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora is assisting the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church-Four Corners Fund or to the Flora Depot.
Oct 27, 1934 - Apr 21, 2024
May 31, 1946 - Apr 20, 2024
Aug 8, 1939 - Apr 18, 2024
Jul 20, 1934 - Apr 14, 2024
Aug 31, 1955 - Apr 12, 2024
My first boss! Prayers to the family. Such a kind person!
So saddened to hear . Prayers for all the family.
Thoughts & Prayers are with Jack's family. He was a great man and will be dearly missed by many.
So sorry to hear this. Jack lived his life for the Lord. Prayers of comfort go out to his family.
so sorry to see that Flora has lost such a good man. I know he has contributed so much of himself that benefited the town. My prayers and condolences to his family.
thoughts and prayers for your family
So very sorry to hear of Jack's passing. Prayers
Bonnie and family I am so sorry for your loss, Jack was a wonderful man and did so much for Flora. Always had a smile and a kind word. He will be truly missed. A real loss for our town and his family. God bless you all.
Bonnie and family, So sorry for you loss. Jack was a wonderful man. Enjoyed working with him on many community projects. He will be missed by many. Prayers for strength and comfort during this time.
The community has lose a wonderful man!! He was so proud of the Depot. We are so sorry about your loss. You all are in our prayers and thoughts.
So sorry, Bonnie. Two good men have moved on to a better world. God Bless you and your family.
Jack brought so much energy , talent , and wisdom to every task and gathering. Prayers for the family .
Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. We have lots of great memories of Jack, especially of traveling to all the ballgames with him and Mart...never a dull moment. A great loss for our community.
So Sorry for your Loss!
Bonnie and family, So sorry for you loss. Jack was a great man and did so much for Flora. He will be missed by many. Prayers for strength and comfort to you all during this time.
Bonnie and family, Flora has just lost one of the finest men ever. Our deepest sympathy on your loss. May God send you comfort in your friends and family.
Bonnie, so sorry to hear of your loss. We admired Jack greatly for his civic service and friendly nature. He will be missed!
We've always looked up to Jack & Bonnie Thatcher, icons in the community and in the church. Jack's presence will be sorely missed - his story telling, his writing, his singing, and his wise insights about the things of this world. May God hold and comfort the Thatcher family during this difficult time.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember you coming to the graveside services for Bob when he passed away but didn't get to talk to you. May God's grace be your strength is my prayer.
Bonnie and Family: We are so sorry for your loss. Jack was a good man and will be missed. He had an impressive career and worked tirelessly for the betterment of Flora. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Jack.
Bonnie and family, it is sad to learn that our community has lost another of its faithful, contributing members. We know he gave his heart and many talents to help the depot become a reality. He was a fellow classmate and friend. He will be missed. May God grant you peace and comfort in the days.
My hear is breaking for you...love you, Kay stauffer
Bonnie, Jay and Jackie I am so very sorry. Jack was such a kind, funny and intelligent man. Bonnie we always enjoyed visiting with you and Jack when you came to GA. Know that we are praying for you and your families. May God's comfort and peace be with you and we pray the pain of your loss will be soon replaced by the good memories you shared.
Sympathy is extended to the family. Sorry for your loss.
So very sorry to hear of Jack's passing. He always treated me with kindness.
My deepest sympathy to Bonnie, Jay, Jackie, and their families. The first time I had any "one on one" contact with Mr. Thatcher was 1972. It was my Senior year and his first year as Vice Principal at FTHS. I had an encounter on the stage in the study hall with my thumb and one of those huge fans. As I was instructed to get to the office by the study hall teacher, I encountered Mr. Thatcher coming up the steps as I was going down them. A brief exchange with him looking at my thumb and he quickly whisked me to the office as he told the secretary he was taking me to the hospital. I'm sure protocol was to call the parents, but he saw the urgency of not wasting time. He was calm, cool, and collected and his quick action and thinking helped in saving my thumb. Flora has lost a great member of the community. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Sorry for your families loss.... Jack has received the most important award...his golden crown!! And many of friends that were there to greet him and he will always be known as the great husband, father, grandfather a family could have but also for the community he helped, the kids he inspired....we have lost a great man!!!
So very sorry for your loss.. God has Jack in His care in heaven now. '
My condolences to Bonnie and Jack's extended family. I am so glad to have had opportunity to visit with Jack and Bonnie twice while I was in Flora last October for the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the First United Methodist Church. Little did we know what lay ahead. Fare thee well, my good friend.
Larry and I were sorry to hear of Jack's passing. I have fond memories of working with all of you at the Advocate-Press during my high school years.
Prayers for Bonnie and family. Jack will be missed by many in Flora
Bonnie, Jay, Jackie and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Jack was a friendly and giving person who inspired many of us to believe that anything was possible if we all worked hard enough together. He had a deep since of obligation to family, church and community. He will be sorely missed by all. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Farewell our dear one. You will never be forgotten for your many labors in bringing the Depot Museum to a reality. So many of us, both past and present, owe you so much. May GOD watch over your family and make "your last run" a peaceful one. All is well.............Safely rest...............God is nigh. B&O RR Veterans
A life well-lived!
So sorry to hear of Jack's passing. The world has lost a truly community and Church minded person, but God has received a true angel. My heartfelt sympathy to Bonnie and family during this time of grief.
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts are with you, Jackie and family. Much love, Amy
Our thoughts are going for the family. Joni and Curtis Castner, Tallahassee Florida
Bonnie: When you and Jack would sing in Church; Sandy and I would always marvel at how well you complemented each other in singing, life, and in your deep commitment to God. Knowing he is in a better place will sustain you through this time of great sorrow.
Bonnie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jack will be missed by Flora and all his many friends. His contributions won't be soon forgotten. God Bless!
Jack did so many things to help make Flora a better place to live. He wanted to enrich the lives of others as well. We will miss his love of community! Prayers of comfort for family and friends!
Dear Bonnie and Family, Mary Anne just sent this obituary for Jack. We are so sorry to hear this sad news. Please know that we will be praying for you and your family.
Over the years, whenever I visited Flora, one of the things I would do was to make sure I stopped in to chat with the gang having coffee at McDonald's. Jack was usually there holding court with the others. His wit, sense of humor, and storytelling conveyed to me a man who: loved God, his family, and his friends. I will always treasure those and the other visits I had with Jack. When Jack gave you a tour of the Depot he had a "proud father" pride in the restoration. Achievement has always belonged to the optimist and Jack was an optimist in his service to the community of Flora. My condolences to Bonnie and Jack's family.
I am praying for peace and comfort for your family during this difficult time. Heaven has gained one of it's own!
Dear Bonnie and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We always loved seeing and talking with you all when we were in Flora! What a great man!!! Heaven is rejoicing at his homecoming! Love and prayers, Kim and Steve
So sorry for your loss, he was such a good man, and will be missed by many.
So sorry to hear about Jack Thatcher's passing. He will be missed.
Dear Bonnie, Jay, Jackie and family...we are so sorry to learn of your great loss! It seems as if we have always known your family and smile at every remembrance. I particularly enjoyed the easy repartee Jack and I have shared over the years. He will be greatly missed and was a good friend to many. God bless you all as you cope with his passing.
Bonnie, I'm so sorry for your loss. As a fellow journalist, I admire your husband's contributions to newspapers and his strong commitment to community. Sincere sympathies.
So very sorry to learn of Jack's passing. Bonnie and family, we send our sincere condolences.
Thank you for your service to country and community Mr Jack Thatcher. Rest in peace. Condolences to the Thatcher family.
Bonnie, Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Bonnie and family so sorry for your loss my heart goes out to you and yours. We have loss a good man and he will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved him. God Bless all of you now and in the days to come.
Bonnie, I was so sorry to learn of Jack's passing. He was such s good person and always working for the good of others. I remember him writing the basketball news when we had such a good team in the late 50's. Couldn't wait to get the paper to read the sports. I am very sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Our hearts are saddened by the loss of Jack For his family and many friends. Our sincere condolences to his family.
It was an honor to get to know Jack while I was with the Chamber. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My condolences to Bonnie and family, Jack was truly a visionary of hope and love for his fellow being. My prayers are with Bonnie and family.
I have many good memories of working with Jack when he was assistant principal at FTHS and I was a beginning teacher. I had good times with Jack and Mart Haycock when they hitched rides with me to high school away games when I was assistant principal. My condolences on the loss of a good man.
Dear Bonnie and Family, We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Jack. He was a very special person and so kind to all of us. We always had so many good times at the Maverick Reunions. Jack will be deeply missed by everyone and our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family
Jack and Bonnie have been wonderful church family! We are blessed at First Christian with such wonderful and loving examples of Christ's love! My heart is saddened to lose a wonderful Christian leader, but overjoyed to know that Jack is receiving his reward. Thank you for serving our church, community, and your country! Proud to have had the chance to have known Jack! Prayers for your family in this time...
So sorry for your loss, and the loss to the city he loved. Having grown up as a neighbor in the south end, I always looked up to and respected Jack and Tom as close friends, one older and one younger. He will be missed by many.
So sorry to hear of your loss Bonnie, Jackie, and Jay and family. May God give you the comfort you need at this difficult time. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bonnie, Jay, and Jackie... we were very sorry to hear of Jack's passing. I have many wonderful memories of Jack and his positive influence on my life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Was so sad to hear about Jack. He was such a great classmate and friend. He always had a smile and was admired by all who knew him. Our prayers are with you Bonnie and your family.
So sorry to hear about Jack' s passing. So glad I had the opportunity to take care of Jack after all these years at Good Samaritan in Mt.Vernon. You touched my heart. I bet Dad and Jack are reminiscing already. Thinking of you and your family.
I was honored to work under Jack & Bonnie's direction at the Advocate-Press while in high school. Jack's deep and lasting impact on the community cannot be overstated.
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family throughout this difficult time.
Another wonderful pillar of our community that will be sadly missed by many of us.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
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Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
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