Norma Jean Tharp

July 3, 1934 – November 10, 2024

Norma Jean Tharp, 90, Arcadia, passed away on November 10 at Five Star Residence memory unit, Noblesville, from complications of dementia.

Known as both “Jean” or “Norma Jean” (or sometimes as “Normie” by her beloved husband Walt a/k/a “Fluto”), she was born July 3, 1934, in Wabash, Ind., to Philip and Bessie Marie Siders. A 1953 graduate of Jackson Central High School, on November 25, 1955, she married Walter Raymond Tharp, a 1951 Jackson Central High graduate and a U.S. Navy veteran. After a short time living in New Albany, they made their lifelong home together west of Arcadia. Jean, after working as a flower arranger, became a nurse’s aide for many years. She retired from Riverview Hospital in 1990. She was a member of Cicero Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Jean would perhaps be best characterized as a salt-of-the-earth country wife and mother with a faith in Jesus that was simultaneously simple, deep, unshakeable, and genuine, never with any false airs or showiness. Her love of traditional Christian hymns exemplified this strong faith – the Gaither gospel artists come to mind, and she could be expected to spontaneously break into religious song in both her best and worst moments. She had a love of country music with a special love of Willie Nelson and Randy Travis. Burt Bacharach’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love” was a favorite and it is no understatement that she spoke often of the universal need for love for all of God’s creatures as mattering more than anything else in life.

In retirement, she and beloved husband Walter sampled numerous mutually held interests and hobbies, including pioneer/reenactment rendezvouses at Mississinewa Reservoir and trips as far as Maine in their fifth-wheel RV, to growing plants in their homespun greenhouse, and a fling with all things gourd-related. Cookouts on Sunday after church with their children rounded out their time and love together.

Jean was preceded in death by a stepbrother, John Brane, Markle, Ind. Surviving are two half-brothers, Gary Smith, Tipton, and Alan Siders, Chicago area; and two sons and a daughter: Dennis Tharp, Madison, Ind.; Ryan Tharp, Arcadia; and Susan (Tharp) Garrity, Arcadia; as well as four grandchildren, Abigail Lowery, Kelsey Knighthawk, Daniel Garrity, and Katherine Garrity (deceased 2022), and a great-granddaughter Juniper Lowery.

Visitation and funeral services will be at Cicero Seventh Day Adventist Church, 24445 S.R. 19, Cicero, on Thursday, November 14. Showing will begin at 11 a.m. with service to follow at 1 p.m. followed by graveside service at Cicero Cemetery, 7810 W. 236th St., immediately west of the bridge spanning Morse Reservoir.

Finally, the family wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary affection by and between Jean and the caregivers at Five Star Residence, Noblesville. The farewell emotion, the tears of staff and the extent to which Jean touched them was evident and we are deeply grateful for the care and the love she received there.

The family requests no flowers but instead, a donation can be made to the American Legion, 50 Washington Ave., Cicero, IN 46030, (317) 984-4441.

Online condolences may be made at hartleyfuneralhomes.com.