Edward Eugene “Gene” Thatcher

July 10, 2013

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Edward Eugene “Gene” Thatcher 41 of Rossville, IN, passed away on July 10, 2013 at I.U. Health Arnett, Lafayette. Born on January 8, 1972 in Clinton County to Oscar S. & Betty J. (Lammert) Thatcher
From the age of 8, Gene lived with his foster parents, Shirley & Dean Ragains of Frankfort. He graduated from Frankfort High School. Gene was a resident of the Rossville Group Home. Gene was very outgoing and active in the Special Olympics with bowling, basketball, softball, football and track. He went to the State Special Olympics for bowling. He had a great sense of humor, and was always making someone laugh. Gene never knew a stranger and knew how to put a smile on people’s faces on a daily basis. He loved meeting and making new friends. Most of all, Gene loved his roommates, friends and staff of Abilities Services, Inc. “to the moon and back”.

Visitation and Services

Services will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at Goodwin Funeral Home. Friends may visit from 6-7 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial following cremation will be in Bunnell Cemetery. Donations may be made to Goodwin Funeral Home to assist with final expenses with the remainder going to Abilities Services and Rossville Group Home.

Survived by:

His family at the group home, and by his foster parents, Shirley & Dean Ragains, 2 foster brothers, Mike (Dusty) Ragains, John Ragains all of Frankfort and a foster sister, Vera Gillum, of Winamac. Gene loved playing with his foster niece and nephews, Cassie, Zach, Alex and Kaleb Ragains.

Preceded by:

his biological parents.

Condolences

9 Condolences for “Edward Eugene “Gene” Thatcher”

  1. Tausha Van Briggle July 15, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    I love you to the moon and back….and miss you just as much….I’ll always be your “Tausha” no one else’s….you have earned your beautiful angel wings and you will hear me talk to you a lot….Geno the Rossville group asks one thing we wanna see some rain so the rain dance please….love you to the moon and back will be permanently tattooed on my heart….

  2. Ray and Charlene(Abston) Taylor July 15, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    This is so sad. I remember him as a little boy when he first came to the Ragain’s home. He was the sweetest little blonde hair baby boy. He always had a smile and his foster family loved him so much. So sorry for the family. But we know that Gene is in heaven riding his bicycle down the streets of gold. May we all be ready and meet him again in heaven.

  3. Nancy Elsea July 16, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    Dean and Shirley and family,
    I was absolutely shocked to see that Gene has gone home. Of course, I remember him when we brought him to you as that little blonde guy who needed a lot of love and guidance. You all gave him that and so much more. I know that Gene loved you “to the moon and back” and then some. I will always cherish his memory and his name for me “Nanny”. Gene will be loved and missed by all who knew him, but he is now with his Mom and Dad, who loved him in their own special way. Thanks for all the love you gave him. He couldn’t have had better parents.

  4. Tana Austin July 16, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    I remember Gene from when I used to help in his classroom at school, such a sweet boy! May God comfort his family during this time.

  5. Jim/Pam/Angel Swinford July 16, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    Dear family of Gene that is what we have always known him by, he was a good and kind young man who respected and was a good friend to Angel. He always spoke to me (Pam) with a smile on his face telling me how much he cared for Angel. I was very happy when he said he would go to the abilities services prom only if Angel was going. He will be missed and yes we will see him again someday, that is what I tell Angel so she has comfort in that. There are not enough words to comfort someone when there is a loss but to know peace is to know God.

  6. Julie Bailey July 17, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    Gene used to live down the alley from us with Shirley & Dean Ragains. He would always ride his bike down the alley and talk to us. He would always make us laugh and talk to our dogs and our son. He was a great man.

  7. Jeff Lemire July 17, 2013 at 11:48 pm

    Gene was my friend. We enjoyed talking together at church, and laughing together. He was a man with a good heart, and a sweet disposition. I miss him.

  8. Leanna Ralbusky July 23, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    I’m so sorry to see this. Gene was the hardest worker when I was a workshop supervisor in the early 90’s. He was willing to do anything asked, and he really loved to go to the Times with me. He was such a sweet person, and I’m truly sorry to see this.

  9. Sandra July 26, 2013 at 5:38 pm

    I’m sorry for your loss. I knew him before he went to Regains’ home. Also lived very close by. He would always ride his bike past my grandma’s on Barner St. and he was so nice and very outgoing with me..

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