CBS4 RTV4 WHBF Quad Cities, IL / IA News Weather SportsCommunity Mourns Loss of Navy Seabee
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First Class Petty Officer Jerry TharpALEDO, IL - It has been an emotional week for friends and family of First Class Petty Officer Jerry Tharp. The 44-year-old Navy Seabee was killed by a roadside bomb last Wednesday while serving in Iraq.
His body was scheduled to arrive by motorcade in Aledo on Tuesday evening.
The Aledo, Illinois native was part of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25 based at the Rock Island Arsenal. He spent over 18 years of his life in the military.
People in Aledo planned a candle-light vigil and service for Tharp Tuesday at Central Park in the center of town.
Channel Four Eyewitness News spoke with relatives and friends who say Tharp was a loving husband and neighbor and hoped many people in the community would turn out to show support for a man who was just doing his duty by serving his country.
"This community always rallies around everyone that needs them," said family friend Jacki Ham. "It's been great. The community responds, everyone is still in shock over the whole ordeal, so it's sad."
Tharp is the third member of the 25th Battalion killed recently. He was married early this year, and leaves a wife and two step children.
His funeral services are planned for Saturday at 2:30 at Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg.
Visitation is planned for Sunday at the First Christian Church in Keithsburg.
