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Obituary – Rev. H. “Gene” Thrasher

Rev. H. “Gene” Thrasher, age 96, was promoted to Heaven Saturday evening, March 27, 2021, from the Missouri Veteran’s Home in St. James. Rev. Thrasher was the first born of nine children, on February 5, 1925, in Bethalto, Ill., to Olney Edward and Lona Lea (Harlan) Thrasher. He is survived by his beloved wife and life teammate, A. Elaine (Wilkins) Thrasher, whom he leaves behind. His three children are: Rev. Mick (& Sharon) Thrasher, pastors of St. James, Mo., First Assembly of God; Carol Holem, pastoral staff at First Assembly of God, Jefferson City, Mo.; Deborah (& Rev. Richard) Crabb, missionaries to Germany.

As a boy, Rev. “Gene” Thrasher attended the East Alton, Ill., Assembly of God. After marriage, Rev. Thrasher was a deacon and Sunday School Superintendent in the Cottage Hills, Ill., Assembly of God, before becoming an Assemblies of God full-time minister.

Rev. Thrasher was ordained over 55 years with the Assemblies of God, serving as pastor at Bunker Hill and Villa Hills (Belleville), while in Illinois. He then, from the ages of 65 – 75, became an Evangelist with his wife Elaine, traveling many states winning souls to the Lord, leading churches in Revival. At age 75, Bro. and Sis. Thrasher moved to St. James, Mo., to be by their son, Mick. In Missouri, he served as pastor at Steelville, Davisville, Ellington and Newburg. Just recently he was still talking about desiring to work for the Lord.

His ministry was joyful, anointed and Evangelistic in style. He wrote songs and poems, and after beginning piano lessons in his late 40s, he and Elaine incorporated the God-given music talent of singing and playing the piano into those Revival services. Many souls came to Christ and many received the Baptism with the infilling of the Holy Spirit after powerful preaching.

“Gene” Thrasher was a World War II, Battle of the Bulge veteran, receiving the Bronze star, a recognition of his heroic achievement.

Rev. Thrasher was a very studious minister, and in addition, formal studies in the German language were done at Southern Illinois University. Later, he took a Europe Missions trip with the Full Gospel Business Men. This was just a beginning to many years of further studies at home, not only in the German language, but the Spanish language as well, and all for the purpose of winning souls. He was planning a missions trip to Germany when he had his first heart attack, stopping his plans.

The family tells the big story of Pastor Thrasher’s discipline of prayer, straight living, taking time with his children and grandchildren to give them good, solid Biblical training and “time” for the Holy Spirit to work and mold their lives. He taught to stay full of the Holy Spirit and the importance of praying in tongues daily. The Thrasher family is represented both in Illinois and Southern Missouri Districts of the Assemblies of God.

The six grandchildren are: Michael (Susanne) Thrasher of Ozark; A/God Chaplain Stephen (Christi) Holem of Marion, Ill.; Joy (David) Kirby of Nixa; Rev. Mark (Deshae) Thrasher of Malden; Carol (Matt) Fitzlaff of Pleasant Hope; and Major Jonathan (JoAnn) Holem of Russellville.

There are 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Bro. H. “Gene” Thrasher always gave the Lord all the credit for any ministry accomplishments, and the work of the Holy Spirit working through him to see so many touched through his God-given ministry. He has now completed his last chapter on Earth. Now the first chapter of a life in Heaven begins.

Visitation was Tuesday, March 30, 2021, from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. at First Assembly of God, St. James, Mo. Burial was at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church Cemetery, Bethalto, Ill.

1 Comment

  1. Deborah Thrasher Crabb on April 11, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    “Gene” Thrasher is a relative of the following family names in the Licking/Houston area: Harlan, Crabtree, Schlupe, and all the Mae Blankenship clan of Licking. His Grandmother Harlan attended the Assemblies of God church of Licking.

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