Josephine Ann Thar, age 86, a longtime resident of Wheaton, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 23, 2014, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. She was born November 20, 1927 in Chicago to Joseph and Anna Simon.

Joann graduated from Immaculata High School in Chicago at the age of 16. She then went on to study at North Park College and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1949. She began work at US Gypsum Company, where she met Melvin Thar. They were married on January 31, 1953 after he returned from the military.

She was an avid volunteer and served as the past president of the Wheaton Women's Republican Club, and was honored as the DuPage County Republican Woman of the Year in 1996. She was a lifelong member of and served as an officer in Alpha Phi Sorority, Beta Alpha Chapter. She was also a member of Gary United Methodist Church and served on various Wheaton City commissions.

She is survived by her husband of 61 wonderful years, Melvin Thar, three children, William (Jacqualyn) Thar of Winfield, Anne (Kevin) Cuff of Western Springs, and Claudia (James) Suchor of Geneva, eight beloved grandchildren, Sarah, Patrick, Audrey, Sean, Madalyn, Joseph, Mitchell and Connor, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 27, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Wheaton. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Gary United Methodist Church, Main and Seminary St. in Wheaton.

Memorial gifts may be directed to to Alpha Phi Foundation, 1930 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 www.alphaphifoundation.org/give/waystogive.