Sharon L. Dunn

With a welcoming heart and warm spirit, Sharon Lynn Dunn was a loving woman whose generous ways inspired all who knew her. Born in a time of peace and prosperity and having lived her youth in a time of rapid change, Sharon possessed a natural gift for connecting with others and affording many a sense of belonging and deep comfort. Sharon centered her hopes and dreams around her family and with an undaunting spirit made her dreams reality.

The year 1946 was marked by much celebration and hope. With the victorious end of World War II, families tuned into the celebratory tunes of Bing Crosby, Perry Como, and the Andrews Sisters, while children delighted in the debut of the slinky. While the nation indulged in a renewed sense of peace and newfound hope, even greater promise for the future was celebrated by William and Gertrude (Miller) Schible of Fort Wayne, Indiana, as they welcomed their youngest daughter Sharon into their family on May 20th.

Like many in her generation, Sharon grew up in a time of vibrant growth as consumerism took off in previously unimaginable ways. For the first time in history, seven out of ten families in the US owned an automobile, the new home market exploded, and the baby boom continued to proliferate. Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry dominated the airways celebrating peace and prosperity. For her first nine years of life, Sharon grew up as the youngest child in the Schible family, chasing and enjoying the good company of her older sisters, Sue and Sandra. When her brother Tom was born, Sharon became a big sister herself. Most of her summers were spent enjoying freedom and fun at the lake.

As a teen, Sharon possessed a slightly mischievous side. Not only did she take an unauthorized trip to Chicago or her dads Lincoln out on the ice covered lake, she also painted her car with just paint and a paint brush. Sharon attended Bishop Luers High School and was a proud graduate of the class of 1964.

Sharons spiritedness gradually mellowed as she grew into adulthood and soon after graduation, at the age of 19, she married. At 21 Sharon earnestly embraced the joys of motherhood when her first child, Amy, was born. Three more children, Angela, Todd, and Amanda soon followed, and Sharons heart easily grew more and more focused on her role as a mother. Having grown up in the Catholic Church, Sharon chose to raise her children in the traditions of her youth. With her firm faith and a tremendous sense of honor and responsibility, Sharon poured her energy into creating a loving home for her children. She supported each of them in all of their endeavors and provided a calm sense of center for their family. She especially enjoyed the times spent at the rental home from Memorial Day to Labor Day on Clear Lake.

In addition to being a wonderful mother, Sharon had worked various jobs. For a time she worked at the Fort Wayne YWCA and later retired from her full time position with Headwaters Counseling in 2016 after providing 18 years of loving service to the organization.

Without a doubt, family was what afforded Sharon her greatest joy and sense of accomplishment. With an open and accepting heart, Sharon welcomed her friends wholly, unhesitatingly embracing them as family. Sharon understood fully that the relationships she nourished were lifes true treasure. She nurtured life-long friendships with her sisters, enjoying their good company through all of her years, especially their many adventures at Walmart. Sharons grandchildren were her hearts delight, and she was their number one fan. She proudly cheered them on at all of their important events while providing a steadfast faith in each one of them. In Sharons eyes, her grandchildren always knew their worth.

A talented seamstress, Sharon carefully crafted many beautiful gowns and outfits. She also gifted her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with a customary baby blanket that not only kept them warm but enveloped them with her love. Sharons creative talents also included an enthusiastic craftiness and many lovely paintings. Tending her flower garden and cleaning proved powerful stress relievers for Sharon. With each weed pulled, rehabilitated plant, dust bunny snared, and organized drawer Sharon found a calm center, renewed hope, and restored faith. Not only could she sit back and enjoy the deep, satisfying exhaustion of a job well done, Sharon also savored the peace and quiet that came with a sense of order.

Sharon treasured each moment she spent with those she loved. She particularly relished sharing the cottage she and Phil bought on Round Lake. With a spark of Sharons imagination, the loving couple took on the challenges of remodeling the cottage, and transformed into the spectacular sanctuary it is today. With Phils unwavering support, Sharon created many wonderful memories surrounded by friends and family, enjoying the splendors of the lake and the treasure of time together celebrating lifes blessings. Holidays were truly infused with Sharons laughter and kind care, especially Christmas which was her very favorite.

Sharon mastered living in the moment and living it fully. In so doing, she gifted many with a powerful legacy of love and an inspiring example of how to live a meaningful life. Though the world is surely duller without Sharons bright light, her vibrant legacy will continue to brilliantly shine in the hearts and lives of those she leaves behind.

Sharon L. Dunn, 71, of Columbia City, passed away peacefully at her home on Round Lake on Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Carrying her legacy forward include her husband like person of 30 years, Phil Papa Grump Schortgen; children, Amy (Rich) Rouse, Angela (Shawn) Demarest, Todd Dunn and Amanda (Joe) Clayton; sister, Sue Slane; brother, Tom (Karen) Schible; brother-in-law, Ron Amundson; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Gertrude Schible; granddaughter, Carrington Drake; sister, Sandra Amundson; and nephew, Mark Fox.

Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2017, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017, at the funeral home with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorial donations may be made in Sharons memory to Leukemia Lymphoma Society or American Lung Association in Indiana for research of COPD. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.