Mary J. Tharp, 87, of Franklin, passed away at 9:52 P.M. Friday December 1, 2017 at The Caring Place in Franklin.

Born June 15, 1930 in Dempseytown, she was the daughter of the late John Gaisford and Mary Kerstetter Gaisford Homan.

She was a 1948 graduate of Oil City High School.

Mary was a longtime member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Rocky Grove. She served the Lord in many ways over the years; including, serving church dinners, volunteering in the nursery and assisting with the greeting card ministry to. She loved helping others, by checking in on people when they were under the weather to giving them a ride to the doctor or preparing a meal to share. She truly had a servant’s heart.

On September 1, 1951 she married Gean Tharp and he preceded her in death.

Surviving is a daughter Beverly Cokain and her husband Thomas of Hermitage; four grandchildren, Brian Yingling, Jason Yingling and his wife Karen, Regan Cheney and her husband Steve and Keenan Cokain and his wife Kristen; five great-grandchildren, Amanda, Ashley, Matt, Uriah and Hannah.

Additionally surviving are four great-great grandchildren: Isabella, Roman, Colton and Aria.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Leslie Porter and Melinda Yingling; a brother, William Gaisford; and a grandson, Christopher Porter.

Family and friends are welcome from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Saturday December 30, 2017 at the Grace United Methodist Church, 350 Front St. Franklin.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. in the church with Rev. Gary Atkinson, Church Pastor, officiating.

Interment will be at Dempseytown Lutheran Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 West Park St. Franklin.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.HuffFuneal.com.