Dr. John Stephen Thatcher's Obituary
Dr. John Stephen Thatcher, age 65, of Hudsonville, went to be with his Savior Jesus Christ, and reunited with his daughter, Grace on Thursday, December 29, 2011. He was born April 4, 1946, in Holland to Frank M. and Maxine (Bauer) Thatcher. John married the former Deb Boersma on July 30, 1988 in Hudsonville.
John graduated from Wyoming Park High School in 1964, and Grand Valley State College in 1968. He graduated from Western Michigan University with his Masters Degree in 1971, his ED.S. in 1975, and his Ph.D. in 1980. John was dearly loved and respected by all he encountered. He was an amazing example of faith, dedication, and hard work to his family and friends. John was known to be attentive to the needs of teachers and students and to be personal in his approach with parents, students, and staff. He was a member of Daybreak Community Church, enjoyed going fast in his Porsche, windsurfing, running, snow skiing, and watching MSU Basketball.
John will be forever loved and missed by his wife, Deb; his daughter, Rebekah Thatcher of East Lansing; 2 sons, Chad (Erika) Thatcher of Jenison and Aaron (Amanda) Thatcher of Ann Arbor; 4 grandchildren: Olivia, Cole, Kaia, and Sophia Thatcher; mother, Maxine Thatcher of Muskegon; mother-in-law, Grace Boersma of Chicago; 3 brothers: Peter (Mary) Thatcher of Branson, MO, James (Diane Williams) Thatcher of Muskegon, and Timothy (Deb) Thatcher of Belding. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Grace, father, Frank, and 2 brothers, Thomas and Mark Thatcher.
The Funeral Service for John will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Daybreak Community Church in Hudsonville with Jeff Henderson officiating. Friends may meet the family on Monday, January 2, at Daybreak Community Church from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Interment will be in Georgetown Cemetery. Donations should be directed to: The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation-Grace Thatcher Scholarship Fund, One S. Harbor, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Share memories with the family in their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
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