Fred Farr Thatcher III 66 formally of LaSalle, passed away peacefully at Mason City Area Nursing Home on March 28.
Fred was born on February 9, 1959, in Columbus, Ohio to Major Fred F. Thatcher II and Gloria (Welter) Thatcher.
He attended Paxton Community High School in Paxton, Illinois and then moved to Princeton, IL in 1977 where he met and married Victoria Jo Bartman on March 11, 1978. They had three children together, Fred IV, Tracy, and Teresa. Later, he moved to the LaSalle/Peru area where he established a home and many wonderful long-lasting friendships. He was married a second time to Tammy LaCosta on May 29, 1991. They were married for 7 years.
Fred attended Illinois Valley Community College in the HVAC program in 1994 and worked in the HVAC field for many years as a proud member of the Peoria Heights Sheet Metal Workers Union. He went on to be employed by IVCC for 11 years in the maintenance department until an injury forced him to retire. He always said that he enjoyed his time at IVCC very much.
Fred loved to travel and play golf. He made several trips to Florida on golf outings, visited many states and adventured to Australia and Hawaii. He was a loyal friend and loving brother that worked hard and played hard for most of his life. He will be greatly missed by the people who loved him. Fred was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Anne. He is survived by his son Fred, who will cherish his memory, his daughter Teresa, his son Tracy and many grandchildren. He also leaves behind his loving siblings, Margaret (Brent) Dollinger, Beason, IL., Virginia (Mike) Lehmann, Lena, IL., Barbara (Dan) Hileman, W. Lafayette, IN., Jim (Deb) Thatcher, Elkhart, IL, many nieces, and nephews that loved their “Uncle Fred. Fred became a member of St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in LaSalle in 1991.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church, 927 10th St. LaSalle, IL on Thursday April 3 at 11AM. Reverend J.A Small, Parochial Vicar of LaSalle Catholic Parishes will officiate Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service in the church. Internment at St. Hyacinth Cemetery to follow mass.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.burgessfh.com
The Thatcher siblings would like to thank Fred’s many friends in the LaSalle/Peru area that supported and cared for him during his last few years there. He was truly blessed to have them in his life, and we will be forever grateful for their help. We would also like to thank the entire staff of Mason City Area Nursing Home, and Gentiva Hospice for their kindness and compassion. You truly made a difference in Fred’s life.
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Fred F. Thatcher III, visit the Tribute Store.
