Tharp, Ruth A.

Ruth A. Tharp, 92, of Marion, formerly of Springville, died Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, at The Villages, Marion. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at First United Methodist Church, Marion. The family will greet friends from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion.

Survivors include her children, Doug Tharp of South Carolina and Cheryl (Terry) Jackson of Mount Vernon; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Spark Pinch and Roy Pinch; and special friend, George.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Bruce; son, Ed Tharp; daughter, Arlene Tharp; and four siblings.

Ruth was born Jan. 8, 1921, at home in Marion, Iowa, the daughter of Richard Owen and Mabel (Knapp) Pinch. She attended Marion High School, and married William Bruce Tharp on May 7, 1938. Ruth was a homemaker and a volunteer for the local hospitals and nursing homes. She loved gardening, dancing, crocheting and bird watching. Ruth always put her family first and had a kind and generous heart. The most important thing she learned from her mother was to never expect something for nothing and to always care for your children. From her father, she learned to work hard and be honest. These were important lessons that she passed along to her children and grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Diana and the staffs at Village Ridge and Iowa Hospice.

Please sign the online guest book for Ruth at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Sept. 24, 2013.