Mary Jane Tharp, 90, passed away early Monday morning, August 27, 2018 at Signature Health Care Muncie with her family by her side.

Mary was born February 6, 1928 in Muncie, IN.  She was the daughter of Russell Harvey and Viola (Minnich) McKinley. She graduated from Eaton High School in 1946 and married Cecil E. Tharp on September 21, 1946. Together they had five children.

She loved her family dearly, and was a very caring, loving mother and homemaker.   She had a strong faith, attended the Eaton First Christian Church and enjoyed the Christian Women's Fellowship meetings.  Mary was an active member of the Eaton PSI Iota XI Sorority for many years and loved having her sorority sisters to her home.  She worked at Product Specialties and Eaton Elementary in Food Services until retiring in 1990.

She is survived by her siblings: Joann Umberger and Fred McKinley; her four children: Cynthia Marquell (Richard), Edwin L. Tharp (Kyle), Theresa A. Bundy (Michael) and Lynden K. Tharp (Linnea); son-in-law,  Richard Morris; eight grandchildren: James R. Morris (Tonya),  Duane L. Morris (Melanie), Nicholas L. Marquell (Tiffany), Natalie L. Stuckey (Jay), Melissa J. Allers (Robert), Stephen M. Bundy (Jennifer), Ashley S. Tharp, and Tiffany M. Caddenhead (Scott);  two step-grandchildren: Brian D. Crawley (Dawn) and Kristi A. Starling (Chris); 26 great-grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Edwin Tharp; daughter, Sharon Sue Morris; and siblings: Donald McKinley, Wilma Linn, Tom McKinley, and Jack McKinley.

Funeral Services will be held at Garden View Funeral Home, with Pastor Stephen DeLisle presiding.  Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery.