Frank & Bright Funeral Home

   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.