Sharon Louise Evans

Born August 27, 1937 in Beardstown to Roy Edwin and Fern Iva (Danner) Sullivan, she married Charles W. Evans on September 21, 1956 in Pekin. He survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Cathy (Mike) Plunkett of Peoria; one son, Chuck (Toni) Evans of North Pekin; six grandchildren, Ryan (Trisha) Plunkett, Jillian Plunkett, both of Peoria, Chris (Jenny) Evans of Congerville, Lily (Nathaniel) Montiel of Elkhart, Indiana, Anna Evans of Bloomington and Julia (Nathan Pospisil) Evans of Naperville; four great-grandchildren, Jane Plunkett, Hunter Plunkett, Ari Evans and Elena Montiel and one great-grandchild on the way. She also leaves her sister, Norma Jean Hammond of Green Valley. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Sharon grew up in tiny Astoria, IL and turned down a full scholarship at WIU to move to the big city of Peoria. There she worked as a nurse’s aide at Methodist Medical Center, then ABC Washing Machine Company in East Peoria before working as a secretary at Great Central Insurance in Peoria. While in Peoria she met the love of her life. Thursday would have been their 67th wedding anniversary. She left the work force to dedicate herself to her husband, to raising her children, and then adoring her grandchildren.

An avid reader, with a talent for sewing, crocheting, puzzles and petunias, Sharon was described by many as the kindest person they’d ever met. She was often seen picking up a grandchild from school and treating them like the ‘stars in her crown’ as she liked to call them. Easter was extra-special with her grandkids traipsing through her house following her hand-drawn treasure maps. From her Christmas cookies to her remarkable fudge, she was always finding ways to sweeten our lives.

She was raised in the Church of the Brethren in Astoria and attended the First United Methodist Church in Pekin for many years with her sister Norma.

A private funeral ceremony will be held Monday, September 18, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Eric N. Swanson will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin. The family would like to send thanks and love back to the OSF Hospice team and the caring staff at Reflections Memory Care.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com