Walter Thackrey

1922 - 2015

Walter Thackrey

Walter E. Thackrey, 92, of Columbia, Ill., born March 28, 1922, in Mill Shoals, Ill., passed away Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015.

Walter was a retired mechanical engineer with Illinois American Water Co. He had served in the U.S. Navy as electrician's mate, and was a veteran of World War II. In the 1980's, he had earned his realtor's license and worked with Guy Haltenhof Real Estate in Columbia, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John A. and LouGilla, nee Musgrave, Thackrey; a brother, David Thackrey; along with three sisters, Ruth King, Eva Jackson, and Freda Reed.

Surviving are his wife, Rachel, nee Mumper, Thackrey, whom he married on Feb. 14, 1949, in Pocahontas, Ark.; his children, Mary (William) Nolan of Sunset Hills, Mo., Teresa (Kenneth) Hartman of Columbia, Ill., Stephen (Gale) Thackrey of Columbia, Ill., Dennis Michael Thackrey of Miami Beach, Fla., and David (Donna) Thackrey of Clayton, Mo.; four grandchildren; a brother, Lowell Thackrey of Carmi, Ill.; a sister, Fairy Taylor of Fairfield, Ill.; along with other relatives and friends.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to: Heartland Hospice, 12101 Woodcrest Executive Dr., Suite 102, St. Louis, MO 63141. For more information, please access our website, www.lawlorfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2915, at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday March 4, 2015, at the funeral home, with Father Roger Karban, officiating. Interment will follow in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.

LAWLOR FUNERAL HOME, Columbia, Ill.