Joanne Carolyn Tharp

1928 - 2025

Joanne Carolyn (Hunt) Tharp passed away peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2025, just weeks after celebrating her 97th birthday. She was born on October 16, 1928, in Anderson, Indiana, to Estie Eri Hunt, M.D. and Irene Thompson Hunt.
She spent her formative years in Pendleton, IN where Falls Park held a special place of happy childhood memories. After the loss of her father when she was 12 and the prolonged illness of her mother, she was lovingly raised by family, friends and eventually by her maternal uncle and aunt, Harold and Dora Thompson, who became her cherished surrogate parents. Their three children became the lifelong siblings she adored.
She graduated from Shaker Heights High School in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1946. Following high school, she attended Indiana University School of Nursing and graduated as class president in 1949. It was during her time in nursing school that she met the love of her life, Donald Warren Tharp, then a medical student. They were married in 1949 in Geneva, Illinois, beginning a beautiful partnership that spanned 63 years until Donald's passing in 2013.
Together, Joanne and Donald raised four children, making homes and lifelong friendships in many cities, including Buxton at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Muncie, Winchester, and Indianapolis, Indiana. In every place they settled Joanne became an integral member of the community serving her church and enriching the lives of those around her.
She was a natural leader and compassionate organizer, leaving a legacy of service. She took pride in founding the first Girl Scout troop on Cape Hatteras. She was instrumental in establishing the Well Child Clinic at the YWCA in Muncie, which provided free immunizations to uninsured and underinsured families. In Winchester, she worked with the local YMCA and the Methodist Church to create the Y's OWLS, a beloved program dedicated to serving local senior citizens.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Estie Eri and Irene Hunt, her husband, Dr. Donald Warren Tharp, and her loving daughter, Katherine Jo Bloomquist, in 2004.
Joanne is survived by her daughter, Carol Jeanne Tharp-Perrin (husband Larry Gindhart, PhD); her son, David Hunt Tharp, M.D. (wife Beth); and her son, Andrew Warren Tharp, M.D. (wife Patricia Tharp, M.D.). She also leaves behind her brother, John E. Hunt, and his wife, Nancy, 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at St Luke's Midtown Methodist Church, 6185 Guilford Avenue, Indianapolis, IN on Saturday, December 13 with visitation from 10:30-12:00 and a memorial service at 12:00.
Burial will follow at Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester, IN.
In lieu of flowers, individuals are invited to donate to the Betsy and James U. Guthrie, M.D. Class of 1949 Nursing Scholarship at the Indiana University School of Nursing. Gifts may be sent to the IU Foundation at PO Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN 46206 or by phone 800-558-8311 with Betsy and James U. Guthrie, M.D. Class of 1949 Nursing Scholarship in the memo line.
Gifts may be also be sent to The Dr. Donald and Mrs. Joanne Tharp Endowed Scholarship at Franklin College in memory of Joanne Tharp. Giving Link: franklincollege.edu/giving/give-now/ or mail to Franklin College, 101 Branigan Blvd, Franklin, IN 46131.
Gifts to St. Luke's Methodist Church may be made at the service or online at Stlukesumc.com/memorialgift
Condolences: www.randallroberts.com