VIOLET H. KELLER, 87 of Floral City, died Jan. 19, 2012 at home under the loving care of her family and Hospice of Citrus County. Born on December 27, 1924 in Prairie du Chien, WI to the late Charles E. and Florence (Bovee) Sawvell, she came to Floral City in 1976 from Dubuque, Iowa. Violet and her husband, Lawrence Tharp, were the owners and operators of Tharp Music and Supply stores in Dubuque and Floral City. Violet attended the Inverness Church of God. She loved flowers and gardening, collecting dolls and hobby horses, going to garage sales and flea markets, playing bingo, and later in life she began oil painting. She leaves many of her paintings for her family to enjoy. Violet is survived by her husband, Wilbert Keller; her children: Bernadine M (John) Geer, Lawrence R. Tharp, Jr., Charles R. (Kim) Tharp, Deborah K. Grassel, Marilyn A. Smith; her sister, Evelyn Marrold; 9 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and her special companion, dog Suzie. She was preceded in death by husbands Bernard Cathman, Lawrence R. Tharp and Lawrence Whitney; her son, Brian L. Tharp; her sister, Tillie Allington and three brothers, Elmer, Arnold, and Edward(Jr) Sawvell.
Funeral service for Violet will be conducted on Monday, Jan 23rd at 2:00 PM at the Inverness Church of God with Rev. Larry Powers and Rev. Charles R. Tharp, officiating. Burial will follow at the Hills of Rest Cemetery in Floral City. The family will receive friends on Monday at 1:00 at the church until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of Citrus County.
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