Sharon Wheeler Obituary

CHAMPAIGN - Sharon Mae Tingley Wheeler, 80, a lifelong educator, beloved mother, devoted Nana and cherished sister and friend, passed peacefully on Oct., 30, 2023, at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana, after a very short battle with cancer.

Born May 26, 1943, in Clark County, to the late Reuben and Elsie (Claypool) Tingley, Sharon was the eighth and youngest child in a large, close and loving family.

She is survived by two daughters, Alicia (Stewart) Ekhoff of Indianapolis and Hollie (Whit) Heintz of Champaign; five grandchildren, Jacob Ekhoff of Urbana, Christian (Katie) Ekhoff of Indianapolis and Hannah, Harper and Eliza Heintz of Champaign; one sister, Betty Biggs of Decatur; her lifelong friend, Alice Taylor of Champaign; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Robert, Reuben Junior, Hobart and Howard Tingley; two sisters, Ferne Compton and Helen Tingley; and her former husband, Edward Wheeler.

Sharon's journey on this earth is a testament to a life well-lived, marked by a profound commitment to education, family, faith and the simple joys of life. She graduated from Mattoon High School in 1961 and earned her Bachelor of Science in education (English) from Eastern Illinois University. She taught English formally for nearly 40 years with tenures at Arcola High School, Mattoon High School and Centennial High School in Champaign. She was known as a teacher who taught to her students' potential and accepted nothing less. She enjoyed her colleagues immensely, counting many of them as close friends, and served as the faculty sponsor for many groups, including her favorite community volunteering group, Students Moving Ahead in Mattoon (SMAIM).

Sharon was always reading, always learning and always teaching. After needing to retire from formal teaching before she was quite ready, she continued editing, tutoring, mentoring and teaching students of all education levels, ages and backgrounds for another decade from her home in Champaign. She left an indelible mark on countless minds, many of them reaching out to her through the years to share that they had been inspired by her to become authors, journalists or teachers themselves.

To her last days, she continued teaching valuable lessons to her daughters, grandchildren and friends, often starting conversations with, "I wanted to share with you something that I recently learned …."

Sharon's faith was the cornerstone of her life. As a child, she was shaped by her father's sermons, small town revivals, and grew up with a personal relationship with Jesus. She attended several special churches throughout her life and always taught Sunday school, worked with youth groups, sat on committees and boards, and attended special classes. At Faith United Methodist, her church home for the last 25 years, she became a trained Stephen's Minister to provide 1:1 care for those who are hurting, and was a proud member of the Discovery Sunday school class.

Sharon's favorite role of all was that of Nana to her grandchildren. She never failed to read them stories, help them study for a test, cheer them on at their sporting events and recitals, and share with them about her faith. They learned so much from her, including how to enjoy the simple things - good coffee, colorful birds and butterflies, reading, watching murder mysteries and British comedies, and her comforting reminder in times of difficulty that "this, too, shall pass."

A celebration of life in Sharon's honor will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at her church home, Faith United Methodist Church, 1719 S. Prospect Ave., Champaign, ending with the interment of ashes in the church courtyard and a luncheon at the church immediately afterward.

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials in her honor may be made to Sharon's two favorite causes, the local public broadcasting station or to the Arthritis Foundation.