Carl Thatcher

Carl W. Thatcher, 88, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020, at Menno Haven. Born October 21, 1932, in Washington, DC, he was a son of the late Hugh and Marie Thatcher.

Raised on a farm in western Maryland, Carl was no stranger to hard work, especially after losing his father at an early age and having to take a year off school to run the family farm. Drafted into the Army in 1953, during the Korean Conflict, Carl completed his service in 1955, and then used the GI Bill to pay for college. After earning his B.S. in Electrical Engineering, he went on to a long career in the Aerospace and Automotive industries, retiring in 1994. He had many successes in life, but would always point to his family as his greatest accomplishment. He built that same hard work ethic and respect for finishing a job into each of his children.

In truth, Carl’s successes and accomplishments were just by-products of living right. He was all substance, and zero window dressing. He was a man of his word, and finished what he started. He always put God first, family second, others third, and himself a distant last. He sacrificed his time, possessions, and comfort for others. Having never met a stranger, Carl made it a point to share the Gospel with every person he could. He left a positive impact wherever he went—right to the end—and will be missed by many.

His beautiful wife of 50 years, Margaret “Peggy” Louise (Taylor) Thatcher, whom he married June 25, 1966, preceded him in death on April 18, 2017.

Carl is survived by four children, JoEllen Thatcher of Franklin, TN, Jonathan Thatcher (wife Shanon) of Bradford, MA, Neil Thatcher (wife Tracy) of Orlando, FL, and Reggie Evers of Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren, Nathanael, Mason, and Taylor Thatcher, all of Orlando. He is also survived by three siblings, David Thatcher of St. Petersburg, FL, Dorothy Decker of Greencastle, PA, and Donald Thatcher of Westminster, MD.

Carl’s funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Chambersburg Christian Missionary Alliance Church, with Pastor Jeff McCracken officiating. Interment will follow in Parklawns Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 9:30-9:55 a.m. prior to the service. Online streaming of the service is available at https://chambersburgalliance.com/sermon/

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Menno Haven Benevolent Fund, www.mennohaven.org/give.

Condolences and memories may be shared on his Book of Memories page at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.