Sharon Lynn Atherton

Sharon Lynn Atherton, age 79, of Savanna, IL, passed away on March 28, 2024, at Big Meadows Nursing Home, in Savanna. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, at the Community United Church of Christ, in Savanna. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., before the service. Burial will follow at Lower York Cemetery, in Thomson. Memorials may be made in Sharon’s name to the Savanna Community United Church of Christ.

Sharon was born February 23, 1945, in Savanna, IL, the daughter of Claude Russell and Myrtle Sigafus. She graduated from Savanna High School with the class of 1963, and shortly thereafter, on July 13, 1963, she married Harold “Bud” Atherton. They would go on to raise four children, and celebrate more than 60 years of marriage.

Sharon began married life as a homemaker, raising her children. Then as the children grew and left the house, she worked for the Savanna and West Carroll School Districts, in their respective times, as an aid.

Always one to place family above all else, Sharon was a loving, attentive mother and grandmother. She looked forward to annual family reunions, and nothing brought her more joy than supporting her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids in their sports and extracurricular activities.

In her spare time, she loved to make ceramic figures and nick-nacks, specializing in holiday themes, such as little Santas and Christmas trees, and in their younger years, she and Bud bowled in leagues together. Sharon was a fan of her Chicago Cubs and Bears, enjoyed reading, and spent many hours tending to her rose gardens. She was also a wonderful cook. Her spaghetti and pies were not to be missed!

Sharon is survived by her husband, Bud; children, Lisa (Andrew) Smith, of Winnebago, IL, Mary (Steve) Schmidt, of Freeport, IL, Matt Atherton, of Clinton, IA, and Robert Atherton, of Savanna; grandchildren, Lindsey (Brendt Dikkers) Kallenberger, Sidney Schmidt, Casey Schmidt, Kaitlynn (Austin) Hansen, and Megan Smith; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Bryant, and Knox; sister, Penny (Keith) Brown, of Savanna; special cousins, Kathleen Thiessen, of Savanna, and Vicki Baker, of Arkansas; and many nieces and nephews.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Robert, James, Ronald, Gerald, and Donald (infant); and sisters, Claudia and Donna (infant).