SOUTH BEND - Avis M. "Rene" Thrasher, 65, of Lincoln Way East, South Bend, passed away in her home on Wednesday, August 8, 2007. She was born in South Bend on February 19, 1942, to Maurice and Avis Morey, who preceded her in death.

On May 31, 1960, in St. Joseph, MI, she married Stanley T. Thrasher, the love of her life, until his passing in April of 2006. Avis leaves two daughters, Michelle M. Thrasher and Sherry A. Thrasher, both of South Bend; a son, Michael M Thrasher; sisters, Beverly Eberhart of Decater, AL, and Sherry Roth of South Bend; her mother-in-law, Arieta (Thrasher) Wade of South Bend; a sister-in-law, Patricia Bell of South Bend; and a brother-in-law, William Thrasher of Bunker Hill, IN.

Avis graduated from South Bend Adams High School in 1960 and then attended The South Bend Community Schools Corporation's Cline School of Practical Nursing, and graduated in September of 1965. She later attended Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, where she graduated in 1972 with her B.N. Degree and passed the Michigan State Licensing exam to receive her Registered Nursing License. She was licensed in both Michigan and Indiana.

Avis suffered a career ending back injury on the job in 1976 that put in a wheelchair and hospital bed for the rest of her life. This did not stop her from being active with her husband or children or the community. She was an elected precinct committeewoman for the old 3-19 for years for the Republican Party. She was an avid collector of Disney figurines and Boyd Bears. She enjoyed going to the collector shows and was an avid Notre Dame football fan. She attended as many games as she could.

Visitation for Avis will be Tuesday, August 14, 2007, in the Cobb Funeral Home, 3525 South Michigan Street, from 1 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 15, 2007, at 10 a.m. in the Cobb Funeral Home. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery.