Sharon L. McKesson

Sharon L. McKesson, age 84, of Elkhart passed away on Monday, February 14, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family. Sharon was born on January 12, 1938 in Cassville, MO to Garland Gail and Nola Marie Hopkins. She married Ira D. McKesson on June 15, 1968 in Oklahoma. Ira's six sisters were like sisters to Sharon too, and his last surviving sister, Mae Hatfield, has been her best friend and neighbor for many years.

Sharon formerly worked at Boris Smoler dress factory as a seamstress. She attended Northside Baptist Church, the Council on Aging Activities and the Goshen Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

As a girl, Sharon performed Roman horseback riding acts during rodeos. That's riding while standing on two horses with one foot on the back of each. She had a great teacher, as her father trained one or more horses for Roy Rogers, and her grandfather was a blacksmith. At one time, she used "Bullwhip Momma" in her email address. She could crack a bullwhip to sound as loud as the firing of a 45!

When Sharon married the love of her life, Ira, each of them had three children from prior marriage. They immediately merged their two families into a very active household with one girl and five boys ages two to teenage. Most of their years together were spent on their farm in Bristol, IN.  Sharon and Ira enjoyed polka dancing. In retirement, they enjoyed winter trips to FL and other travel.

Sharon is survived by her children Raymond (Janet) Lombardi of Evansville, IN., Randy S. Lombardi of Martin, KY., Ronna Lombardi of Elkhart, IN., Randy D. (Terry) McKesson of Weaver, AL.,  Andrew (Linda) McKesson of Cassopolis, MI; 11 grandchildren and  14 great-grandchildren; her sisters Mary L. Dunfee of Cassville, MO. and Gaylene (John) Ingram of Salem, MO., sister-in-law Evelyn Hopkins of Cassville, MO. Sharon was preceded in death by her husband Ira D. McKesson, her son Kenneth McKesson and her brothers Joe K. Hopkins and Bennie Hopkins.

Sharon was a very outgoing person and always maintained an upbeat attitude. It was easy to make her laugh.  She enjoyed water aerobics and loved to go anywhere.  She seemed to never meet a stranger and made new friends wherever she went.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 pm with funeral services immediately following on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514. Burial will be at 2pm on Monday, February 21, 2022 at Oakridge Cemetery in Bristol, IN.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 8430 West Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60631 or www.alz.org

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com