Jerome A. Sharper

Jerome was born on Jan. 24, 1954, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The family moved to Youngstown, where he united with the World Fellowship Church at the age of eight.

He was an avid sportsman with a passion for playing football, basketball, and running track. In addition to his love of athletics, Jerome still made time for singing and dancing in talent shows, creative arts, and fishing with his brothers in Millcreek Park. Jerome graduated from South High School in 1973, after which he was employed at General Motors, Sheet and Tube Co., as well as becoming a self-employed painter.

Just prior to learning about his illness, he moved to Erie, Pa., where he married Catherine Salow on Feb. 17, 2007. They were inseparable, sharing the same joy and determination to serve, while putting God first in their lives as members of Lakewood UMC.

At the closing of his life, Jerome leaves to cherish his memory, his dedicated and loving wife of nearly seven years, Catherine of Erie, Pa.; cherished mother, Juanita (Prude) Sharper; honored father, Charles Sharper (deceased); six wonderful and talented children by his former wife, Kim Young; sons, Darnel, Bryan, and Davon Sharper and daughters, Keisha and Kiara Sharper, all of Youngstown, and son, Dion Ingram of North Carolina (mother, Debbie Ingram); two stepdaughters, Jacqueline Ward of Waterford, Pa. and Jessica Michalski of Erie; brothers, Ronald Harris and Jerry Sharper of Youngstown, and Richard Sharper (deceased) of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; sisters, Juanita Holloway, Josephine Johnson, and Lyneice Sharper, all of Youngstown, Azzie Washington, Mary Mills, Eunice Jones, Linda (Chester) Hood of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Barbara (Jack) Tart of Augusta, Ga., and Bessie (Readie) Ayers of Detroit; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.