HERB THACKER

1915 - 2007

Mr. Herbert Thacker Jr., beloved husband of Mrs. Merle Thacker of Bow Island, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at the age of 91 years.
He was born November 15, 1915 in Staffordshire, England and at the age of three he immigrated to Canada.  Herb married Merle Campbell on November 11, 1940 and they lived on the family farm west of Burdett.  To Herb, family came first.  Every member of his family knew that he had great pride in all of their accomplishments, no matter how large or small.  He will be remembered as a fair, honest and outgoing man who always had time for a “chat” with everyone, friends or strangers.  Herb was an avid sports fan.  His love was baseball but he also enjoyed golf, hockey, curling, hunting and fishing.  Herb and Merle traveled world wide, including a trip to Russia to attend the Canada verses Russia Summit Series in 1972.  He was a life member of the Bow Island Elks Club and a Mason.  Herb’s love of farming showed throughout his life, in his later years Herb became the  “inspector” as he and Merle always went for a drive around the countryside to check the crops.  He enjoyed trips to the farm to see what was happening.
Besides his loving wife Merle, he is survived by five children Jerry (Frances) Thacker of Burdett and their children Marcie (Harty) Hartwig (children Tyler and Alia), David (Rhona) Thacker (children Andrew, Daniel and Jalissa), foster son Brent (Shannon) Kosolofski; Dennis (Heather) Thacker of Burdett and their children Burk (Tracey) Thacker (children Molly and Quinn); Jeff Thacker; Linda (Don) Newton of Skiff and their children Tara (Dwayne) McLaren (children Brooke and Kacie), Robyn (Kevin) Todd (their daughter Kora); Wendy (Nick) Keam of Canberra, Australia and their children Lauren (Adam) Kaminski (children Mikka), Lachlan Keam and James Keam; Cathy (Stuart) Murray of Whitla and their children Dale, Eric (Karen) Murray and Logan  Murray (Ashleigh Wray).  He is also survived by one brother George (Florence) Thacker of Bow Island and by three sisters Ivy Corns of Grassy Lake, Elsie Reber of Grassy Lake and Clara (Don) Fraser of Bow Island as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Clara and Herbert Thacker Sr., brother and sister-in-law Joe and Loraine Thacker and brothers-in-law Harvey Corns and Orville Reber.
A private family Graveside Service will precede the Funeral Service at the Burdett Community Cemetery.  The Funeral Service will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church, 139 - 2 Avenue West, Bow Island on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 2:30 P.M. with Marie Barr LPMiT, of the Foremost United Church officiating.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Herbert’s name may be made directly to the Bow Island and District Health Foundation, Bag 3990, Bow Island, Alberta  T0K 0G0.