ELKHART -- Louise E. Tharp McCreary, 83, of Los Angeles Avenue, died at 4:53 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 29, 2008) after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born March 26, 1925, in Fort Wayne to Clyde and Jennie L. (Johnson) Sievers. On Nov. 6, 1946, she married Ralph L. Tharp in Columbia City. He died in 2004. She married Lionel McCreary on Nov. 22, 2004, in Middlebury. He died in 2008.

Mrs. McCreary is survived by one son, Todd L. Tharp of Elkhart; two stepsons, Darrow (Nita) McCreary of Greensburg and Douglas (Deb) McCreary of Upland; and one sister, Edna Bates of Columbia City.

She was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.

Mrs. McCreary was the dietary supervisor at Americana Nursing Home (now Woodland Manor), Elkhart, for nearly 10 years. She was the personal assistant for Dr. Thomas Graber, Elkhart, for many years.

She had a die-hard sense of humor and spent much of her time joking with her son and family. She enjoyed listening to Gaither Family gospel music.

Cremation has taken place. Friends may call one hour prior to Saturday's 11 a.m. memorial service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Barry Edds of White Pigeon Church of Christ and Pastor Richard Sievers will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Columbia City.

Memorials may be given to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care or the charity of the donor's choice. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.