Born January 18, 1946 in Rolla, Missouri and raised in Newburg, Missouri, she was the daughter of Robert J. and Goldye (Davidson) Giddens. She married Allan Yates on October 28, 1962 in Pekin. He died July 15, 1967 in St. Louis. She then married James E. Lydick on March 16, 1969 in Pekin. He died December 9, 1996 in Pekin. She later married William A. “Willie” McDonald on January 20, 2012 in Pekin. He died August 21, 2021 in Marquette Heights. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter, Cheyenne Milliken; five brothers, Terry Giddens, Jerry Giddens, James Giddens, Richard Giddens, Gary Giddens and two sisters, Melody Sue Watson and Carol Joye Adkins and one son-in-law, Raymond Milliken.
Surviving are one son, Richard (Tina Benson) Yates of Creve Coeur; two daughters, JoAnne Yates of Charles City, Iowa and Candi Milliken of Marquette Heights; six grandchildren, Allen (Alison) Yates, Brittany (Brent) Yates, Branden Yates, Alicia Painter, Bethany (Ian) Schott and Jamee Milliken; four great-grandchildren, Austin Painter, Layton Yates, Braelynn Painter and Skylar Yates and two brothers, Robert Giddens of St. Clair, Missouri and Ronald (Louise) Giddens of North Pekin. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Sharon was a florist for more than 33 years. She formerly owned and operated Derby Street Flowers and later, Artistic Flowers. She also had owned and operated the Dinner Bell Café in Pekin.
She was a member of Celestial City Chapter #333, Order of the Eastern Star in Pekin and Pekin Women of the Moose Chapter 673. She was a former member of the Eagles Lodge Ladies Auxiliary. Sharon loved craft work and wintering in Texas.
She was of the Jewish faith.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Jeff Johnston will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 4234 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
PALLBEARERS
Allen Yates
Ian Vieweg
Layton Yates
Branden Yates
Austin Painter
Richard Yates
Jamee Milliken
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17