Catherine Joan Wharton, the daughter of Thomas M. and Beulah M. (Stewart) Rash, was born June 27, 1928 in Phelps City, Missouri. She graduated from high school in Rock Port, Missouri in 1946.

On May 20, 1951, Catherine was united in marriage to Martin E. Wharton in Rock Port. While living in France during Martin’s military service, Catherine was instrumental in establishing the first “Order of Rainbow Girls” in that country. It was composed of the daughters of American personnel stationed there. The charter for the new French chapter came from Oklahoma. She was also a member of the Rock Port Chapter #440 Order of Eastern Star, and the First Christian Church, Rock Port. Catherine passed away Saturday, December 26, 2009 at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port, at the age of 81 years.

Besides her parents Catherine was preceded in death by her husband Martin, daughter, Lisa L. Bock, brother Stuart Rash, sister, Elizabeth J. (Betty) Harmon, infant brother Harold, infant sister, Helen and nephew, Marion Rash. Survivors include, one daughter, Teresa Gayler and her husband, Joe, and one son, Thomas Martin (T.M.) Wharton, all of Rock Port; grandchildren, Captain Clinton L. Gayler USMC, and his wife, Mi Hee, Carlsbad, California, Kimberly J. Nuckolls, and her husband, Brock, Tarkio, Missouri, Tanner M. Bock, Omaha, Nebraska, and Tayler M. Bock, Columbus, Nebraska; great-granddaughter, Kylie Jo Nuckolls, Tarkio; sister-in-law, Docia Rash, Braymer, Missouri; nieces, Rita Hussey, Columbia, Missouri and Nita Bloss, Trenton, Missouri; nephew, Ted Harmon, Rock Port.

Services:
10:30 am, Tuesday, December 29, 2009
First Christian Church, Rock Port, Missouri
Interment: Greenhill Cemetery, Rock Port
There is no scheduled family visitation.
Memorials may be directed to the First Christian Church or the Pleasant View Employee Trust.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services directed by Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port