Sharon Kay Leonard

She was born December 23, 1950 in Galesburg to Paul W. and Velva J. (Colwell) Henninger. After her father passed away when she was 2 ½ years of age, she was raised by her step-father, Dale A. Selburg, Sr. Sharon always felt he was a special person to embrace a ready-made family with three girls aged five and under. She married Paul E. Leonard on October 2, 1978 in Pekin. He survives.

Also surviving are her daughter, Traci Walker of Pekin; two grandchildren, Maria Gianessi and Cole Gianessi, both of Pekin; one great-grandson, Isaac Gianessi of Pekin; five sisters, Carol (Bob) McCrary of Clayton, Georgia, Paula Henninger of Pekin, Tina (Bill) Brownfield of Pekin, Donna (Mark) Pankey of Manito and Lisa (Ed) Sipka of Pekin and one brother, Dale (Janet) Selburg, Jr. of Pekin. Also a special mention to her “sister from another mother” Pam Webb Connell of Orion.

Her parents preceded her in death.

Sharon worked at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria for 31 years, retiring in 2013. She began her nursing career as an LPN, then became an RN and retired working as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

She enjoyed spending time at their second home in South Carolina, traveling and going on cruises, watching “True Crime” shows, and always looked forward to the annual “girls’ trip.” She loved visits from her grandchildren, playing with her great grandson, and her boxers, Zoey, Ruger and Rizzi.

Her memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Mark Pankey, her brother-in-law, will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Inurnment will be in Lakeside Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Illinois CancerCare Foundation, 8940 North Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL 61615-7828.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Salazar, Dr. Le-Lindquister and the entire staff at Illinois CancerCare for their special care and attention given to Sharon.

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