THATCHER, Betty JoBetty Jo Thatcher, 97, passed away on October 27, 2016, in Boynton Beach, Florida. She was born on January 16, 1919, in Kokomo, Indiana to Samuel Chester and Gladys Land. She graduated from Kokomo High School and Ball State Teachers College. Betty Jo touched the lives of many students in Kokomo and in Delray Beach at Delray Elementary and Pine Grove over her 30 year teaching career. She was also active in P.E.O., Boynton Woman's Club, Sorosis Club, Business and Professional Women, Republican Women and United Methodist Women. In her retirement years, Betty Jo loved to travel in the US and abroad. She and her husband, Dale, and children Cherie and David moved to Boynton Beach in 1958 after a final cold winter in Indiana. They had discovered the beauty of Florida during World War II while Dale was stationed at MacDill Field in Tampa and could not wait to return to its warmth. They were long-time active members of the First United Methodist Church of Boynton Beach. Betty Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, her parents, Chet and Gladys, and her brother, James Land. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Jo Seidl (Robert) of Onsted, Michigan and David Thatcher (Deborah) of Boynton Beach, grandsons Matthew Seidl of Michigan and Thomas Seidl (Stacey) of New Jersey and great-grandsons Lucas and Cooper. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the at www.alz.org or you may send a check to: , P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. The family thanks the kind and caring staff at Brookdale Senior Living in Boynton Beach and VITAS Healthcare Hospice and Palliative Care who cared for Betty Jo during her final days. She was content and comfortable. Private services and interment were held at First United Methodist Church of Boynton Beach.To express condolences and/or make donations: Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries