Charleen Tharp, age 81, Albany, died Saturday July 7, 2018 at home following an illness.  Born in Ridgeville on August 19, 1936 she was a graduate of Ridgeville High School and a longtime resident of Albany.  She worked in sales for beverage distributor Terrance Smith of Anderson for fifteen years before retiring.  In addition, along with her husband, she owned & operated JC Tee's & More, a local apparel business.  Charleen attended Albany Christian Church when she was able and enjoyed bowling and golfing over the years and time with her family.

Survivors include her husband of nearly sixty-three years, Jay Tharp; two sons: Jeff Tharp (wife: Joyce), Parker City, and Phil Tharp (husband: Lisa), Muncie; a daughter: Stacy Tharp-Rench (husband: Jeff), Albany; two brothers: Jim Auker (wife: Paula), FL, and David Auker, New Castle; a sister: Cathy Hoover (husband: David), Ridgeville; five grandchildren: Linsey Kingen (husband: Tim), Noah Tharp (wife: Valerie), Niki Tharp, Monica Mays, and Matt Mays; two great-grandchildren: Cayden Kingen and Lincoln Tharp; several nieces & nephews and her beloved cat, Mister.

She is preceded in death by her father: James Auker, her mother: Gennette (Ringley) Ludy, two brothers: Denzel & Dallas Auker and a sister: Christine Ramsey.

A memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Albany Christian Church.  Burial will take place at a later date at Lawndale Cemetery, Ridgeville.

Visiting hours will be Thursday from 4 until 6 p.m. at the church.

Memorials may be sent to Alpha Center, 315 S. Monroe St., Muncie, IN 47305.

Special thanks is given to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospice including Jana Reinke for their care of Charleen and her family.