Sharleen Meredith

Sharleen L. Meredith, 86, of Marion passed away peacefully at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2014, at home with her husband at her side. A celebration of her life will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at the Zion United Church of Christ, Marion, Illinois with Pastor John Holst officiating. Interment will be in New Rose Hill Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 3, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Zion United Church of Christ. Memorials may be made to Zion United Church of Christ Memorial Fund or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the church. Sharleen was born July 26, 1927 in Aurora, Illinois to Harold N. and Mildred J. (Sorensen) Sharp. On August 17, 1945 she married Leslie Meredith in Elburn, and celebrated 68 years together. She is survived by her husband, Leslie; one son and daughter-in-law, Greg and wife, Linda Meredith of Carbondale; three daughters, Linda and husband, Dan Long of Maple Park; Gail and husband, Randy Jones of Marion; Lori and husband, Lynn Martin of Evansville, IN; along with 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one grandson. Sharleen devoted her entire life to her family and being a farm wife in both Elburn and Marion. While living in Elburn, she was one of very few women at that time to receive her private pilot's license. Les and Sharleen moved to Marion in June, 1972. Sharleen's faith played a very important part in her life in both Northern and Southern Illinois. Throughout the years, she taught Sunday school, helped with youth groups, sang in choirs, played in a bell choir, sat on various boards, and always helped in the kitchen until she was physically unable. In 2013, she was bestowed the honor of being named Mother of the Year at Zion UCC. She and her mother, Mildred Sharp, are currently the only mother/daughter couple to have each received this award as Mildred Sharp received it in 1997. She enjoyed travelling with Les whether it was to a livestock sale, overseas to visit relatives, or seeing the sights of the United States. She and Les encouraged their children to travel, and participated in the AFS Exchange Program in both sending two of their daughters abroad with this program to Australia and Malaysia and hosting an AFS daughter from New Zealand. Additionally, they hosted many short-term AFS students. After moving to Marion, and raising her family, she spent much of her time assisting her son at the new Meredith Funeral Home in Marion along with babysitting grandchildren and taking care of her mother. In her later years, she enjoyed walking to stay fit. Through this activity, she is remembered by her neighbors as having a smile on her face and greeting everyone with a big, friendly wave. Everyone was always welcomed in her house for a laugh and good conversation. She will be missed by all of her family and friends, but is at peace with the Lord and still watches over us as she sings joyously with the angels.



Service:



11:00 AM Wednesday, June 4, 2014



Zion United Church of Christ 930 West Cherry Marion, Illinois 62959







Visitation:



5 to 8 PM Tuesday, June 3, 2014



Zion United Church of Christ 930 West Cherry Marion, Illinois 62959