Donald Ray "Don" Thrasher, age 69, of Olney, went to be with the Lord at 10:33 PM on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at his residence in Olney.

Visitation will be Friday, March 18, 2016 from 4-7 PM in the chapel of Thrasher Family Funeral Home in Olney. Funeral service will be Saturday, March 19 at 10 AM in the chapel of Thrasher Family Funeral in Olney. Burial will be at Marion Cemetery in rural Edwards County. Pastor Paul Goss and Richland County Veterans Organization will be officiating.

Don was born on December 2, 1946 in Shawneetown, IL, the son of Pete and Edith (Mills) Thrasher. He later married Joanna "Jody" Grove on May 28, 1983 at Olney Christian Fellowship in Olney. She survives.

He was in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He worked as a Funeral Director and Owner at Thrasher Family Funeral Home in Olney for 20 years. He also was a Pastor at Hope Unlimited Church in Olney for 4 years. He loved playing baseball as a child and teenager and was even recruited by the Dodgers organization as a young adult. He enjoyed coaching baseball and softball and attending local sporting events. On September 12, 1979 he committed his heart to the Lord and his life forever changed He was a passionate follower of Christ and shared his love with everyone he came in contact with. He loved spending time with his family and meeting new people. He enjoyed fishing and spending time outdoors. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and everyone who knew him.

Don is survived by his wife of 32 years Jody Grove-Thrasher, of Olney; 2 sons, Chase Thrasher and fiancé Natasha Haussy of Olney and Donald Thrasher Jr., of New York; 4 daughters, Julia Thrasher, of Olney and boyfriend Curtis Miller of Charleston, Donna Doran and husband Brian of North Carolina, Sunni Thrasher-Lewis of Washington, and Leonora Milazzo of Virginia; brother, Bob Thrasher of Ridgway, IL; sister-in-law, Joy Thrasher of Shawneetown, IL; 3 brothers-in-law, Tommy Joe Newcombe of Tennessee, Jeff Grove and wife Amber of Olney and Josh Grove and wife Megan of Olney; parents-in-law Jerry and Pat Grove, 7 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and several adopted children.

He was preceded in death by his parents Pete and Edith Thrasher, 4 brothers, Jim Thrasher, Jack Thrasher, Larry Thrasher, and Steve Thrasher and 3 sisters, Billie Mitchell, Norma Lowe, and Linda Newcombe, sister-in-law Dorothy Thrasher and 4 nephews Gary Brazier, Ronnie Brazier, Kevin Thrasher and Darrell Thrasher.

Memorials can be sent to Hope Unlimited Church or Good Samaritan Hospice in memory of Donald Ray "Don" Thrasher.

Hope Unlimited Church
945 S. West St., Olney IL 62450
Tel: 1-618-204-1958
Email: hopeunlimitedchurch@gmail.com

Good Samaritan Hospice
601 S. Ninth Street, Vincennes IN 47591