James E. Tharp

James E. Tharp, age 65, of Biggsville, passed away at 8:45 a.m., Sunday, March 21, 2010 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, Ill. He was born on February 23, 1945 in Muscatine, Ia., the son of Kenneth and Eva Kenney Tharp. He was reared and educated in the Sherrard and New Boston area and attended the New Boston High School. James served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was a mechanic. He married Peggy Meyer on July 3, 1996 in Oquawka, Ill. Jim and Peggy owned and operated their own produce stand in Biggsville for the Last 13 years. They enjoyed spending time in their garden with their granddaughter Allie. He enjoyed fishing and being in his yard, keeping his flowers and lawn beautiful. Jim was a commercial fisherman in Florida for 30 years. Surviving James is his wife Peggy Tharp of Biggsville, two sons; Tony Tharp (Andrea) of Penny Farms, Fl., Tom Willits (Melissa) of Orange Park, Fl., four daughters; Jamie Miller (Jeffery) of Cambridge, Ill., Tammi Rhymes of Cambridge, Ill., Andrea Blint of Osco, Ill., and Stacie Hinds of Biggsville, Ill., ten grandsons and six granddaughters. Also surviving are four sisters; Mary Gilmore of Aledo, Ill., Marna Stewart (Gene) of Keithsburg, Ill., Esther Gibbs of Aledo, Ill., and Doris Whitesell of Rock Island, Ill. Four brothers; Frank Tharp (Becky) of Seaton, Ill., Irvin Tharp and Kay of Keithsburg, Ill., Marvin Tharp (Dee) of Taylor Ridge, Ill., and Roger Tharp (Linda) of Roseville, Ill. He was preceded in death by his Parents, one son James, a sister Dorothy, and a brother Lyle. Services:A funeral service will be on Thursady March 25, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, IL. Interment will be in Greenmound Cemetery in Keithsburg, Illinois. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening in Oquawka at the Turnbull Funeral Home. A memorial fund is being established by his family.