Marylee Tharp

            Marylee Tharp, 80, of Oil City, died at 12:23 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. 

            She was born on August 13, 1938 in Knox, Clarion County, to the late Zale and Helen (Botts) Bender. 

            She was a 1956 graduate of Cranberry High School. 

            Marylee remained active in her classmate's reunion group that met for lunch each month.

            She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Oil City, where she taught Sunday School for many years. 

            Marylee was an avid reader, and enjoyed the outdoors, especially wildlife, gardening, and butterflies.  She also enjoyed embroidery, traveling, music, and attending concerts in the park with her companion, Stan.   Marylee was also an avid Steelers fan. 

            She worked as a nurse's assistant and a secretary for the Oil City School District; and retired as a secretary for the Guidance Department at Oil City High School. 

            Surviving are two children: Julie Tharp-Amon and her husband Roman of Stoneboro, and Daniel D. Tharp of Grove City; her longtime companion, Stanley "Bud" Erwin of Oil City; and a grandson, Coleson T. Amon of Chattanooga, Tennessee.  She is also survived by two brothers, Zale "Butch" Bender and his wife Colleen of Montana, and Gerald Bender and his wife Sandy of Cranberry; a sister, Judy Meeks of Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

            In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her former husband, Daniel L. Tharp. 

            Friends and family will be received Thursday (March 21) from noon until 2 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township, where a funeral service will follow Thursday at 2 p.m. with Rev. Byron Myers, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, officiating.  Interment will follow in Lamey Cemetery in Dempseytown. 

            Contributions in Marylee's memory may be made to the Oil City Library, 2 Central Ave., Oil City, PA  16301; or to Grace United Methodist Church, 100 Central Ave., Oil City, PA  16301.

            For additional information, or to express online condolences to the family, please visit www.hilebest.com  

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