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Sharon Walter April 26, 2024

Sharon June (Irish) Walter, age 80, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away at 1:15 PM, Wednesday, October 23, 2019 in the comfort of her home following a diagnosis of lung cancer. She was born November 15, 1938, in Champaign, Illinois to Arnold and Grayce (Mangner) Irish.

Sharon is survived by her son, Curtis John (CJ) Walter of Bellevue, Nebraska; her daughter, Carron Joyce (CJ) King of Springfield, Missouri; three grandchildren, Regan M. King and his wife Cindy of Columbia, Missouri, Grayce J. King and Chloe A. Cline, both of Springfield, Missouri; and her dearest friend, Sandra Kortkamp of Rockford, Illinois. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother Arnold.

A homemaker for many years, Sharon was later employed by Missouri State University from 1987 until her retirement in 2010. Sharon enjoyed doting on her grandchildren, baking for friends and yard-saling. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother and a caring friend to many, who hopefully will remember all the shared laughter.

Memorial funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 2, 2019 in Barnes Family Funeral Home in Ozark, Missouri. Visitation will be from10:00 AM Saturday until service time in the funeral home. Arrangements under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com.

Condolences(12)

  1. REPLY
    Judy Forte Brown says
    October 24, 2019 at 6:28 pm

    I have known Sharon since the 1950’s and she was always there if I needed some advice. She was such a warm, caring person and a friend to all. We both graduated from Champaign High School in 1956 in Illinois but kept in touch through Reunions, telephone calls & Facebook. I will miss her and her heartfelt support when I needed her. May God be with her.

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    Steve Berkwitz says
    October 25, 2019 at 9:58 am

    I wish to convey my sympathies to C.J. and all of Sharon’s family. Those of us in the Department of Religious Studies always enjoyed working with Sharon in the College of Humanities and Public Affairs. We’ll remember her friendly smile and her dedication to the university with fondness. May all the nice memories of her bring you comfort.

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    Jane Terry says
    October 25, 2019 at 10:00 am

    Sharon worked down the hall from our office and she was such an enjoyable, funny, warm, and caring friend. My sympathy to her family and friends!

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    Carolyn Mayer says
    October 25, 2019 at 10:04 am

    I worked with Sharon at MSU. She was such a fun person to be around. Loved her sense of humor and her outlook on life. She will be greatly missed by everyone. Prayers for her and the family.

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    Marcia Morriset says
    October 25, 2019 at 1:15 pm

    It was always a pleasure to work with Sharon. She cared deeply for students, faculty and staff. My heart-felt condolences to her friends and family.

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    Lynna Roller says
    October 25, 2019 at 3:27 pm

    Sharon was such a blessing to anyone who knew her. She always had a ready smile for you. Her children meant the world to her. As a dear friend, I will miss her positive attitude and her laughter.

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    Jenny Cole says
    October 26, 2019 at 4:02 pm

    During all the time (many years ago) that I spent playing with Carron at her house, Sharon was the best substitute mom. You could always count on Sharon to make you laugh, and keep a constant supply of ice cream on hand. I’ll miss her smile and laugh. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

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    Carole Bradley says
    October 27, 2019 at 8:47 pm

    So sorry to lose a great neighbor and friend. Will miss our phone calls and visits in the driveway even though they were short. My deepest sympathy to her family who were so loved by her.

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    Jerry Harweger says
    October 28, 2019 at 8:00 pm

    My condolences to Curt and Carron. My wife Linda (deceased) and I were close friends back in Illinois, Sharon and Linda were often thought to be sisters. We were honored to be sponsors for Carron’s Baptism. Sharon had such a quick and witty sense of humor! Her memory will last forever.

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    David Hartmann says
    October 30, 2019 at 9:34 am

    Some things can be argued about and Sharon and I argued about most of them. But a much smaller set of things are just true. Among those perhaps half dozen things are these two: Sharon Walter was extraordinary and I miss her. I can’t summarize her, why would anyone try to? Certainly she was as accomplished as anyone I know – competent, strong, sharp, funny and smarter than was safe for those around her. And as was true of so many in her generation, she never drew attention to how good she was – hers was the quiet excellence I saw in my own mother and still see in my father. Like them, what defined Sharon were not the outstanding qualities she had, but that she always knew what was important and was always looking out for it. She was, simply, a force for the good we all want and need – the force that brings people together and protects and nurtures them. She gave so much to me and to my family – and the joy and pride she felt for her own children and grandchildren modeled what we are all supposed to do with our lives – to be there for those we love as often as we can and in as many ways as they need us to be. Sharon’s orientation and legacy were and are her family and then, in smaller ways but in ways for which we will always be grateful, each of us. I will only say one more thing about Sharon, and I’ll close where I started. Sharon could argue with and irritate me in a way no one else could – I have never been so infuriated with someone while at the same time laughing out loud and filled with affection and the joy of being together. The bond of friendship allows anything, even disagreement, because it is surrounded by care and by respect. That’s one of many lessons I learned with Sharon and one of the ways she will stay with me. Carron and Curt and all your families, thank you for sharing your mom with us – with me and with my family. Our prayers and our hearts are with you.

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    Suzanne Gleason says
    November 3, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    Although a little late in our condolences, Sharon was a wonderful person, fun-loving, joyful, and a person we always had a joy visiting with her on the phone and especially in person. My mom (Nona, sister-in-law, from Jasper, MN) always had a laughing-good-time when we visited Aunt Sharon especially in person (the days were never long enough)– only now we wish it would have been more often. I, niece Suzie, now in the Sioux Falls, SD, enjoyed them (Mom and Aunt Sharon) so much together, whether they were just talking together in the house or whether we were out together shopping, or seeing the sights. Aunt Sharon was a GRAND and a WONDERFUL person. Curt and Carron you have our deepest and heart-felt sympathy and may your mother’s memory live long and be active in you and any your children’s (Carron) and their children’s (Carron) for a very long time. Sister-in-law (like a sister) and Aunt Sharon will long be a great memory in our lives. Blessings to all of you! Love and prayers.

  12. REPLY
    charlotte mennenga says
    November 10, 2019 at 9:29 pm

    dear curtis and carron, your Mom was a great friend. I am so glas that we went to Missouri with stranger I was and came home friends I met your Mon on the side of the interstate on the way to Blue Haven Beach. I was the start of lots of wonderful vacations with the whole family
    Those memories are joy I an take out and enjoy whenever I want to.
    Your Mom had a gift for telling a funny story and looking on the bright side of things
    One night she called me just to visit while she had a batch of chocolate chip cookies in the oven. zi was having a bad time and I cried to her on the phone. She burned up the cookies, but gave me good advice. That advice helps me remember how lucky I am and I can survive any crises.
    May hour memories of lots of years with your Mom help comfort you also.
    She loved you so ad was so happy to have grandchildren to enjoy.

    Your Mom showed everyone how to see the bright side of life. May the rest of your lives be healthy and happy. Very Sincerely with love, Charlotte and Larry.

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