James A. Tharp

He was born February 14, 1958 to Morris and Alice (Kannenburg) Tharp. His parents preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by two half- brothers, Phillip and Norman Tharp.

Surviving are three sisters: Jean (John) Bussone of Pekin, Mary (Keith) Beal of Green Valley, Becky (Troy) Schuler of Chenoa; one brother, Charles (Molly) Tharp of Pekin; and one half-brother, Randy (Kay) Tharp of Manito; His girlfriend Kari Kepley, whom he loved and shared his life with for over 12 years and her daughter, Breanna. Nieces, Jessica (Chris) Stewart of Green Valley, Renee (Bruce) Puckett of Durham, North Carolina, Amy Tharp of Fredericksburg, Iowa, Kelsey (Kyle) Hamilton of Chicago, Emily (Trevor) Banks of Greenwood, Indiana, Anna Tharp of Pekin; nephews, Dan (Erin) Beal of Green Valley, Ryan Fabry of Pekin, and Matt Tharp of Pekin and 6 great nieces and nephews.

Jim was a 1976 graduate of Pekin Community High School. He was a long time employee at National Rental in Pekin. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and an active member of the Pekin Moose Lodge. He attended Harvest Bible Chapel in East Peoria, Illinois.

He enjoyed riding his motorcycles, spending time with his family and friends and enjoyed his annual vacations to warm tropical climates in the winter months.

Jim was a warm, loving person who always put everyone’s interests before his own. He was very caring and always willing to help others. So many people were blessed by his kindness.

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 1:00 PM at the Davison-Fulton Woolsey Funeral Home in Pekin. Pastor Kent Smith will officiate. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until services on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Kingston Mines Cemetery in Kingston Mines, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute, 6811 N. Knoxville Ave. Suite A, Peoria, Illinois 61614. You may create an online condolence at www.davisonfultonwoolsey.com.