Kenneth Nelson Thacker, age 84, of rural Sumner, IL, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2015. He was born November 24, 1930, in Lawrence County, IL, the son of Willie and Lena (Baker) Thacker. He married Wilma Ivie on June 24, 1956.
Kenny was a farmer from 1954 until his retirement in 1995. He was still active in the day-to-day operations of the farm. During the off-season in farming, he worked as a Union carpenter in construction during the sixties and seventies. He was a member of the Cranston Methodist Church until it was destroyed by a windstorm. Then he was a member of the Chauncey-Landes Methodist Church.
Kenny was an Army veteran, having served from 1951-1954, during the Korean War. He was a member of the Robinson American Legion and VFW, and an active member of Chauncey Community Club.
Preceding Kenny in death were his parents, Willie and Lena Thacker; three brothers, Melvin Thacker, Mervin Thacker, and William Jr. (Bill) Thacker; three brothers-in-law, Paul Robb , J.P. Mugrage, and Leroy Boughan; two sisters, Edith Mugrage, and Lenora Boughan; four sisters-in-law, Wanda Thacker, Corene Thacker, Margaret Thacker and Betty Thacker; two nephews David Boughan and Dennis Thacker; and one niece Kathy Jackson.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma, of rural Sumner; four sons, Earl (Janice) Thacker of Sumner, Phillip (Cindy) Thacker of Sumner, Gary (Theressa) Thacker of Oblong, and Lee (Linda) Thacker of Oblong; one brother, Paul (Shirley) Thacker of Robinson; two sisters, Mary Lou (Ray) Broadwater of Clay City, and Norma Jean (Larry) Shackle of Carterville; and sister-in-law Leona Thacker of Sumner. Nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Saturday at the Sivert-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Sumner.
Visitation will be from 5 PM to 7 PM on Friday at the funeral home
Burial will be in the Waggoner West Cemetery in Chauncey with military rites.
Memorials may be made to the Chauncey-Landes Church or Hospice of Southeastern Illinois with envelopes available through the funeral home.