Sharon Mahala Hook

Sharon Mahala Hook was a loving, generous and fair person, who always managed to embrace life and was not afraid to state the truth. Her wit and un-expected comments were always a joy to the people around her. She died at the age of 71 in Thomson, Illinois on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at home surrounded by her loving family. Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of life gathering will be held from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2014 at Henry's Double K, 834 South Jackson Street, Mt. Carroll, Illinois 61053. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Memorials will be divided evenly amongst Sharon’s favorite charities.
Sharon was born on August 8, 1942 and was raised by William and Rosalee Shallenburger in Galena, Kansas. She attended Riverton High School in Riverton, Kansas, graduating with the Class of 1959. Shortly after graduation, Sharon moved to Dallas, Texas with a friend. In 1961, Sharon enlisted in the United States Army, serving from 1961-1963. While enlisted, she served as a receptionist for Major General George Duncan. She met her future husband, Edward Hook while stationed at Fort Monroe, VA. They were married on August 10, 1963 in Fort Monroe.
After they were married, Sharon and Ed moved back to rural Thomson and began farming east of town. Sharon continued to help her husband on the farm until they retired to a new home in Thomson in 2004. Sharon worked part-time for the Carroll County Review helping to build ads and layout the weekly paper. She was a member of the Thomson School Board and the Carroll County Board. Sharon was also on the Republican Women’s Committee and was the first woman to be elected to the Carroll County Farm Bureau Board. She enjoyed bowling with the Fulton Women’s League and spending time with her family and friends.
Sharon will be dearly missed by her husband, Ed Hook; four children, Troy (Mitzi) Hook of Morrison, Illinois, Cindy (Eddie) Snuggs of Faith, North Carolina, Paul (Amanda) Hook of Clinton, Iowa and Ray (Michelle) Hook of Loves Park, Illinois; thirteen grandchildren and one sister, Joyce (Larry) Williams of Gold Canyon, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Rosalee Shallenburger.