WINONA LAKE – Marilyn H. Thrasher, 83, known to many as the “Teddy Bear Lady,” died at 10:40 a.m. Aug. 13, 2013, at Grace Village, Winona Lake. She was born in Fort Wayne to Glenn and Carrie Hopper. She was a former longtime resident of Kosciusko County. A Fort Wayne North Side alumni, she had been a member of the Eastern Star, Lady Lions and a longtime member of the North Webster United Methodist Church and Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, Warsaw. During her working years, she had been curator of the Palace of Sports in North Webster in the ’80s and retired from Farmers State Bank after 20 years of service. She was an avid reader, seamstress and gardener. She is survived by a sister, Barbara Bristow, Fairfield, Iowa; a daughter, Abby Meeks, Warsaw; a son, Glenn (and Carolyn) Meeks, Sevierville, Tenn.; a grandson, Nick Meeks; a great-granddaughter, Elise Meeks, Fort Wayne; multiple nieces and nephews; and her companion of 10 years, Francis Green, Niles, Mich. She was a very special lady loved by all that knew her and she will be missed. There will be private family services. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorials to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, 3489 E. 100 S, Pierceton, IN 46562. Condolences may be sent via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
