Tharp, Herbert Milton – 1883-1960

BOWE, CLEMENT, FISHER, THARP

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:31

Life Story Of Dr. H. M. Tharp
Dr. H. M. Tharp, 76, physician in the Monroe area since 1927, died Friday morning at the Iowa Lutheran hospital in Des Moines.
Funeral services were held Sunday at the Monroe Methodist church with the Rev. Orin Young, pastor of the church, and the Rev. Donald Brong, pastor of the Monroe Baptist church, conducting the services. Burial was in the Monroe cemetery.
Lorna Kay Bowe, granddaughter of Dr. Tharp, was the soloist. She was accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Ralph Gloyd.
Mrs. John LeGrand was the organist.
Pallbearers were Robert Tice, Oscar Ammer, Harry Worth, Henry Van Haalen, Joe Long, Francis Van Dusseldorp, Dick Vanderwerff and Walter Ratcliff.
Military rites at the cemetery were conducted by Slayden Post No. 363 of the American Legion.
Obituary
Dr. Herbert M. Tharp, son of John W. and Melvina Tharp, was born November 17, 1883 near Dunreath in Marion county.
Charged with the responsibility of trying to operate a farm and simultaneously obtain an education, he succeeded in graduating from Newton high school in 1901, completing the required four year-course in three years.
After graduation, Dr. Tharp tried several vocations, including that of a country school teacher. During this time he met and was united in marriage to Ruby L. Clement on November 22, 1905. To this union was born one daughter, Winona (Mrs. Frank Fisher).
In 1914, finally realizing his lifelong dream, he entered pre-medical school at Central College in Pella. Following this he enrolled at the University of Illinois and was graduated as physician and surgeon in 1919.
For the next eight years Dr. Tharp practiced in Chicago, Ill., coming to Monroe in September, 1927.
Certainly no person residing in this area need be reminded of the contribution Dr. Tharp has made to this community as a physician and benefactor. In addition to the help and consolation that were a part of his nature and his creed as a doctor, he found time to serve the community in many other ways.
To mention a few of these, Dr. Tharp was a member of the Methodist church, Kiwanis club, Odd Fellows, Pythian Sisters, Commander of American Legion Post No. 363, President of the Monroe Commercial Club and Chancellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias.
Recognition of all of these efforts was culminated with a “This Is Your Life” program in 1953. The entire community participated in making this one of the most memorable occasions in a person’s life normally full of compassion for his fellow men.
In November, 1955, Dr. and Mrs. Tharp celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Eleven months following this happy event, on October 28, 1956, this companionship was severed b y the death of Mrs. Tharp.
During the last three years, Dr. Tharp has himself been a part-time patient, although he continued to minister to his friends and neighbors in this community. This illness finally put Dr. Tharp in the hospital April 7 1960. The delay he showed in responding to his own ailments certainly contributed to his departure on May 6.
Dr. Tharp is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Frank (Winona) Fisher, and a granddaughter, Mrs. B. M. (Lorna Kay) Bowe, both of Des Moines. Also surviving is a brother, Homer, of Newton, a large number of nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Source: The Monroe Mirror; Thursday, May 12, 1960, page 1