tharp

OTTUMWA: Roe Donald Tharp, 86, of Ottumwa, Iowa and former resident of Bloomfield, Iowa died October 8, 2009 at Vista Woods Care Center in Ottumwa. He was born December 17, 1922 in Davis County, Iowa to Ray Wilfred and Nona McCullough Tharp. He married LaVerne Paup June 8, 1946 in Preston, Iowa. He was a high school history and government teacher and later a principal in West Liberty and West Branch, Iowa. He also worked as a Farm Bureau fieldsman, a Farm Service salesman, and a farmer. He was a member and served on many committees for the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bloomfield and the First Lutheran Church in Ottumwa. He worked to help pass education bond issues in Davis County, was a member of the board that brought rural water to Davis County, and was an active member of Rotary Club. He served in the United States Navy during WWII.

He is survived by his wife, LaVerne Tharp of Ottumwa; 3 daughters, Beverly Mattingly of Lancaster, Wisconsin, Mary (Tim Donovan) Tharp of Montpelier, Vermont, Verlee (Bob) Hitzhusen of Bend, Oregon; a son, David (Nancy Shelley) Tharp of Independence, Missouri; and 8 grandchildren, Zeb (Aubrey) Tharp, Robin (Danny) Gammon, Kathryn Donovan, Patrick Donovan, Paul (Sarah Webb) Hitzhusen, Mark Hitzhusen, Scott Mattingly and Marcia Mattingly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and 3 brothers, Logan, Marvin, and Max Tharp.

Memorial services will be at 11am on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at the First Lutheran Church in Ottumwa with Pastor Ralph Kister officiating. Visitation will begin at 10am on Tuesday at the church with the family present to greet friends until the time of the service. Burial of the cremains will be in the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. A memorial has been established to the First Lutheran Church in Ottumwa.