Reverend Donald Monroe Tharp, 90, husband of Betty (Cunningham) Tharp, formerly of Mt. Carmel, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 1, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona. Donald was born in Irish Valley, Pennsylvania in 1930, to the late Donald Hamilton Tharp and Mary (Yordy) Tharp.
Donald was a life-long follower and servant of Jesus Christ, which became his life’s work and mission. After he graduated with a Bachelor of Ministry degree from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN, he then received his master’s degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. Donald served as minister in a number of churches including, Baxter Christian Church in Kentucky, Shaker Prairie Christian Church in Carlisle, IN, Havre de Grace Christian in Maryland, Frankton Christian Church, in Frankton IN, First Christian Church Bedford IN, First Christian Church Virden, IL, First Christian Church of Albion, IL, Berryville Christian Church, and Christian Church in Sumner, IL. He regularly attended both Parkview Christian Church and First Christian Church of Mt. Carmel, IL. Throughout his life, Donald was invited to preach at camps, revivals, nursing homes, hospitals, and many other churches as it was his calling to share the love of Christ with everyone he could. Donald was also the administrator at the Altenheim Senior Living Center, Indianapolis, IN, the Barton W. Stone Christian Home in Jacksonville, IL, the Hillsboro Illinois Nursing Home, and (formerly) Monticello Nursing Home (Oakview) in Mt. Carmel, IL.
Donald deeply loved his friends and family and is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Tharp of Phoenix, Arizona; his children, Daniel (Connie) Tharp of Mesa, AZ, Robin Tharp of Phoenix, AZ, Donald (Cindy) Tharp of Victoria, TX, Marie (John) Gronley of Mesa, AZ, and Stephen (Lori) Tharp of Nashville, TN; his 8 grandchildren, Stacey Abel, Missy Ulm, Peter Judge, Amber Rankin, Desira Adams, Carli Tharp, Kyler Tharp, and S. Connor Tharp; 14 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Lee Tharp of Baltimore, Maryland. Donald was preceded by his parents, Donald and Mary Tharp, wife, Doris Hanks, brother, Billy Tharp, and grandson Daniel “Danny” Tharp.
A Celebration of Life Service will be postponed for a future date following the pandemic.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Tharp family.
