Rev. Ernest “Pete” Thacker

Rev. Ernest “Pete” Thacker, 98, of Mansfield, Ohio went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 27, 2022. He was born in Vanceburg, Kentucky on June 28, 1923. He was a faithful member of Faith Chapel Church.

Mr. Thacker served in the U.S. Army during World War II where he landed with the Allied Forces when they invaded Northern France on the beaches of Normandy during the D-day invasion. He was an Ordained Minister and has pastored churches in Tennessee, Michigan and Kentucky and was an associate pastor in Ohio. He would also preach whenever he was called to fill in for a pastor or at a moments notice. Pete also worked as a mechanic all of his life and was a hard working man to support his family. He retired from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois 36 years ago, and then returned back to Mansfield.

Pete was well known for his quick wit and humor. He always made everyone laugh when one was around him for very long. He loved his family and his little dog, Princess, so much and was loved by many. At age 95, he was asked to throw out the first pitch at the Cleveland Indians home ball game. The Mansfield News Journal published a large story and was on the world news on TV.

Pete is survived by his wife, Audrey Porter Thacker; children, Rosella Kaye (Larry) Frazier of Lenoir City, TN, Myron (Diane) Thacker of Mansfield and Diane (John) Bevan of Bewdley, England; son-in-law, Darrel (Deanna) Bellomy of Sparta, TN; daughter-in-law, Janet Thacker of Mansfield; stepsons, Bud and Roger Porter both of Lucas and Mike Porter of Mansfield; grandchildren, Donita (Roy) Munsey, Teri (Adam) Risher, Brett (Annette) Thacker, Bart (Paula) Thacker, Jody Thacker, Julie (John) Hawes, Tony Bellomy, Lisa (Chris) Campbell, Kimberly (David) Callahan, Nicole Thacker, Chris (Trish) and Johnathan Thacker, David (Lali) Thacker, Amanda Thacker, David Imboden, Angela (Warren) and Sara (Roy); 25 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Mr. Thacker was preceded in death by his first wife of 64 years, Beatrice Bloomfield Thacker; father, Edgar Warner Thacker; mother, Rose Evans Thacker; stepmother, Evelyn “Wag” Thacker; sisters, Mary Ellen Applegate and Gladys Liles; brother, Homer; daughter, Lois Evelyn Bellomy; sons, Roger, Michael and Ernest Thacker Jr.; and grandson-in-law, Larry Gabbard.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Ontario, Ohio 44906. A service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, March 3, 2022 beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Keith Grove officiating. He will be laid to rest in Oak Grove Memorial Park. Military honors will be presented by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Squad. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Chapel, 674 Hanna Rd., Mansfield, Ohio 44906.

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