Pamela K. Tharp, 75, of Liberty, Ind., died Monday, November 3, 2025 at Envive Healthcare in Liberty.  She was born in Hamilton, Ohio on September 17, 1950 to Truman and Dorothy (Sayers) Kolb.  She graduated from College Corner Union High School as the salutatorian of the Class of 1968 and later graduated from Miami University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.  On June 26, 1971, she wed William ("Nick") Tharp.  They were married for more than 54 years.  She lived all but 6 years of her life on the Union County farm where she spent her childhood, which she and Nick later farmed, and where they raised their three children. Her lifelong interests included history, politics, and Indiana University basketball.  She was a member of the Liberty Church of Christ.

In 1987 Pam began writing for the Richmond, Indiana Palladium-Item as a correspondent focusing on Union County.  In her nearly 30-year career, Pam covered local government, train derailments, public corruption and murder trials, fatal accidents, and countless other newsworthy events.  For years Pam wrote a column about gardening sourced primarily from her mother-in-law, Naomi Tharp, a master gardener known to Pam's readers only as "The Compost Lady of Brown Road."  Several of Pam's feature articles were picked up by the Associated Press and printed in newspapers across the United States.

Pam is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Judy Jenkins; a son, Brian Tharp; and a nephew, Steve Raisch.  She is survived by her husband; her son, Kevin (Tania) Tharp of Indianapolis; and her daughter, Carrie (Chris) Faxon of Beavercreek, Ohio.  She is also survived by five grandchildren: Warren Faxon and Lillith Faxon of Beavercreek, Ohio; Allison Tharp of Indianapolis; and Tyler Tharp and Hailey Tharp, as well as their mother, Jennifer Paddock and her daughter, Addisyn Schneider, all of Liberty.  Other survivors include her brother-in-law, Danny Jenkins, and a niece, Vickie Raisch.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2025 at the Liberty Church of Christ. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. before the funeral. Interment will be at the College Corner Cemetery.

Urban-Winkler Funeral Home in Liberty is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Community Cooperative Closet in Liberty.