Sharon Rucker

Fun-loving, young at heart, and dedicated to God are just a few ways to describe Sharon Rucker.  A  few events that occurred in history in 1935 include:  the Amelia Earhart solo flight across the Pacific, Parker Brothers released the game Monopoly, nylon was first introduced, and on November 30, 1935, Jesse and Laura (Pheister) Braddock welcomed the birth of Sharon Lavon Braddock, in Union Township of Whitley County.  She was the sixth of eight daughters, better known as "The Braddock Girls."

Sharon grew up in Thorncreek Township, attended Columbia City High School and graduated with the Class of 1953.  On April 5, 1968, she married Robert H. Rucker in Columbia City.  They met at the local downtown laundromat.  Bob had 4 children and Sharon had 3 -- they married and together they had Bobbi Jo.  Bob and Sharon took their children (and eventually their grandchildren) on numerous camping trips to Chain-O-Lakes, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and to Indiana Dunes.

Sharon worked at REMC before becoming   a secretary at the Essex Corporation for 10 years, and she was a Rural Mail Carrier for the United States Postal Service in Columbia City for 18 years, until her retirement in 1996.

Sharon was formerly a member of the Faith Baptist Church where she was the Junior Church teacher for nearly 40 years. She was fondly known by many as "Aunt Sharon."  Later Sharon became a member of the Tri-Lakes Baptist Church, where she enjoyed volunteering at the Tri-Lakes Food & Clothing Bank and she volunteered for the Whitley County Right to Life.

Sharon loved her entire family and enjoyed the gatherings and visits with them.  It brought great joy to her heart. She was also a natural born storyteller and told numerous stories at Christmas on the Square each year in addition to the hundreds of children at Junior Church.  Her story of Mrs. Chaulky is one remembered by many.

Sharon loved reading the Bible and having bible studies in her home.  Her favorite verse is Isaiah 41:10. Sharon lived her life waiting for the day she could meet her Lord & Savior and with such a genuine love of Jesus, she worked tirelessly to make sure anyone she could reach was saved as well.

Sharon will be remembered in the hearts of all the lives she touched in her teachings and with her love throughout the years.

Sharon Lavon Rucker, age 85, of Columbia City, IN, went home to be with Jesus at 2:10 pm on Friday May 28, 2021, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Survivors include her children Gary (Lisa) Nierman and Duane (Laurie) Nierman, both of Columbia City, Linda Nierman  Eloph, of Fort Wayne, and Bobbi Jo "BJ" (Dale Dentzer) Rucker of Churubusco; step-children Robin (Sharon) Rucker of South Whitley, Chris (Rob Menzie) Cornelius of Warsaw, Kelly (Michael) Rucker of Ocala, FL, and Laura (Ted) Wisniewski of Jamestown, TN; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and her sisters Betty Dear of Columbia City and Judy (Leroy) Slabach of Nappanee.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Rucker, and sisters, Frances Western, Evelyn Egner, Bonnie Egner, Dean Bowman, and Phyllis Bowsman.

Friends may call from 4-8 pm at on Thursday June 3, 2021, at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Funeral services for Sharon will be held at 11:00 am on Friday June 4, 2021, at Tri-Lake Baptist Church, 5679 North Center Street, Columbia City, with calling one hour prior to the service.

Burial will follow in Blue River Cemetery, Columbia City.

Memorial contributions in memory of Sharon may be made to Tri-Lakes Baptist Church Food Bank.

Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family online condolences.