F. Eloise Thatcher

F. Eloise Thatcher, 90, of Van Wert, died at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2012, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born October 28, 1921, in Hoaglin Township, Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Chester and Marie (Stripe) Carlo. On August 22, 1942, she married Carl R. Thatcher, who preceded her in death on May 1, 2011.

Mrs. Thatcher was a lifelong member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Van Wert and was involved in numerous church groups and activities throughout the years. She was a former member of Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178, also in Van Wert. She enjoyed flowers and traveling, having visited every state, as well as every Canadian province and many countries abroad.

Survivors include two children, Darlene K. Murphy of New Haven, Ind., and Barry (Judy) Thatcher of Van Wert; five grandchildren, Kelly (Kevin) Mahoney of Auburn, Ind., Nikki (Steve) McClain of Fort Wayne, Ind., Tiffany (Preston) Bowen of Southlake, Texas, Kristy (Russell Menyart) Murphy of Shanghai, China, and Patrick (Lisa) Murphy of Fort Worth, Texas; and 10 great-grandchildren, Clayton McClain, Jack and Daniel Mahoney, Kennedy, Jude and Reese Bowen, Keaton and Peyton Murphy, and Margaret and Miles Menyart.

A brother, George Carlo, also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 26, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Will Haggis officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Calling hours are from noon-2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Van Wert or the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, c/o Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.alspachgearhart.com.