Mr. Dale W. Thatcher, age 85 of Grant, died Thursday, May 1, 2008 at Fountainview Retirement Village in Grant. He was born Dale Warren Thatcher in Oceola, Illinois the son of Clara Mae (Boham) and Charles Wesley Thatcher on February 5, 1923. He married Eleanor Isabel Rasmussen on September 11, 1947 in Grant. He was a Surveyor for Newaygo County Road Commission for over 25 years until 1985. He was a member of Grant United Church of Christ and a Life member of the VFW Post #4249 Newaygo. He was a veteran having served in the Army during World War II from November 5, 1943 to December 5, 1945 when he was discharged as a PFC and was also a POW in a German POW Camp.

 He is survived by his wife Eleanor Thatcher, his children Steven & Sharon Thatcher of Fremont, Larry & Lisa Thatcher of Ft. Wayne, IN, Ellen & Kevin Rambadt of Reed City, Lynn & Chris Pulling of Leslie, 15 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, brothers & sisters Kay Duncan of Moline, IL, Charles & Barb Thatcher of White Cloud, Phyllis Crawford of Belding, Kenny Thatcher & Jo of Newaygo, his sister-in-law Barbara Thatcher of White Cloud. He was preceded in death by Brother Harold, and sister Aileen.

 Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM from the Grant United Church of Christ, on Monday, May 5, 2008 with The Rev. Dr. David Lee Smith officiating. Interment will be in the Danish Cemetery near Grant. Visitation will be held 2-4 & 6-8 PM Sunday at the McKinley Grant Chapel. For Memorials please consider the Grant United Church of Christ. Military Honors are under the Auspices of the V. F. W. Post #4249 of Newaygo.

McKinley Funeral Home, Grant, 231-834-5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com