Stewart Thacker

ROCK ISLAND, Tenn. — Stewart Thacker, 81, formerly of Covington, passed away July 31, 2017, at his Tennessee home.

He was born Apr. 26, 1936, in Floyd, KY to the late Willie and Mamie Sheperd Thacker.

He married his wife of 63 years, Dimple Hawkins, on Jan. 9, 1954; she survives.

Stewart was a builder for more than 50 years, previously running two general contracting businesses: Thacker-Massie Construction, with the late Hobert Massie, and Stewart Thacker Construction. Some of Stewart's favorite projects were the churches that he helped build for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including chapels in Piqua and Bowling Green, OH. In 1978, the Presiding Bishopric of the LDS Church called Br. Thacker to be a member on the Board of Consultants of the Church Building Department, where he helped with creating chapel floorplans around the world; he served in this capacity for several years. He also served in numerous other church callings, including Scouts, the High Council, and Bishop of the Piqua Ward from 1979-1982.

Stewart retired to Rock Island, TN, with his wife. There, he enjoyed working as a school bus driver for Van Buren County Schools for more than 10 years. He retired in May due to illness.

Stewart is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dimple Hawkins Thacker of Rock Island, TN; daughter Susan (John) Hartley of Troy, son Greg (Patricia) Thacker of Rock Island, TN; two foster children: Karen (the late John) Brown Schneider of Spokane, WA.; and David (Kathy) Brown of Yankton, SD; grandchildren Mandy (David) Lack of Rock Island, TN, Maria (Fernando) Rodriguez of Whittier, CA., Laura (Daniel) Willis of Worthington, Lynnie (Ricky) Kailiponi of Rexburg, Idaho, and Stewart (Jessie) Thacker of Nashville, Tenn.; nine great-grandchildren: Victoria Shown, Olivia and Lydia Lack; Liam, Levi, and Kenai Kailiponi; Maylin McDaniel; Nicholas Willis; and Mateo Rodriguez. He is also survived by foster grandchildren: John Patric Schneider, Jackie (Dan) Cook, Jessica (Brandon) Grimmett, and Jacob Schneider, all of Spokane, Wash.; and David and Michael Brown; and foster great-grandchildren: Lucy, Calvin, and Olive Cook. Stewart is also survived by siblings, Elizabeth Smith, Clarence, Clyde, Curtis (Laura) Thacker, and Ida (Jim) Pecqueux all of Dayton; and sister in-law Cheryle (the late Ray) Thacker of Moraine.

Stewart was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Mamie Shepherd, beloved granddaughter, Maggie Thacker McDaniel; brothers Ray and John; sisters Lou Ella Erwin, Cora Jane Mattox, and Mary Shockley; mother-in-law, Nettie Bradford Hawkins, and father-in-law, Fowler Hawkins.

Visitation will be at the McMinnville Funeral Home in McMinnville, Tennessee on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. ñ 12:45p.m. The funeral service will be held at 1p.m. Saturday at the McMinnville Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.