George L. Tharp died Nov. 6, 2004.

He was born April 9, 1918 in Porter, the son of Fred M. Tharp and Jen Effie (Wixon) Tharp, both of whom preceded him in death.

In 1939, he married Edna Mae “Sue” Stout, who preceded him in death.

He is survived by a sister, Grace Beatrice Brockway; sons, Gordon (Patty) Tharp of the Pines, Gerald Tharp, Don (Judy) Tharp, Terry (Judy) Tharp and Tim Tharp, all of Chesterton, John (Cheryl) Tharp of Westville, Scott (Stacy) Tharp of LaPorte and Bob (Joyce) Huber of Valparaiso; 22 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews to whom he was known as Uncle Dough, plus many special friends from the mill and Northside Diner, where he was a regular fixture in his latter years, passing out “George Quarters” to all the children.

He was also preceded in death by brothers, Edward, Dale and John, sisters Sarah, Doris Swisher and Vera Spencer; sons Dan, Michael and Keith.

He was a lifelong area resident. He started his working life in 1932 washing dishes at several local eateries, one of which is now the Northside Diner. He did the same that summer at a local youth camp and was made a reluctant cook at age 14 when the camp cook had an appendicitis attack. Depression times being what they were, he couldn’t refuse. He joined the CCC at age 16 and was made a cook. He remained a cook/chef until the age of 52 when he returned to mill work at Bethlehem Steel as an electrician, a job he had done during the war. He retired in 1983.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton. Interment will be in Furnessville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Funeral Home.

Memorial Donations may be made to a charity of the donors choice.

Posted 11/8/2004