Obituary

Sharon Lee Stark, 80, of Kendallville, died Tuesday February 1, 2011, at Parkview Memorial Hospital in Ft. Wayne.

Born March 19, 1930, to Clare and Gwen (Freeman) Aldrich, Sharon was raised in Kendallville and graduated from Kendallville High School in 1948. She attended William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, and graduated from Ball State University in 1952. She taught elementary school for seven years in Ft. Wayne, and in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona.

She married Kenneth J. Stark, of Tucson, on June 28, 1958. They lived in Arizona and Colorado before moving to Kendallville in 1968, where they owned several businesses, including Taylor's Shoe Store, the Jean Shop, and Baskin-Robbins ice cream store, until retirement in 1991.

She is survived by her husband of Kendallville, son and daughter-in-law, John and Lynn Stark, of Fredericksburg, VA, grandchildren Erika and Ben, and by son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Ann Stark of Peoria, IL, and grandchildren Elizabeth, Caroline and Stephanie. She was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Sarah Aldrich Stark.

Sharon was a member of Trinity Church United Methodist, Kendallville, where she served on the Board of Trustees, the Church Council, and the Worship Committee. She was a founding member of the Noble County Community Concert Association and has been its Publicity Chairman since its inception. A lover of music and accomplished cellist, she was a member of Sigma Eta Sorority, played with The Fine Arts String Ensemble, and sang in the church choir. She played cello in the orchestra accompanying many East Noble Theatre productions. She was a member of Tri Kappa Sorority since graduating high school. She volunteered at the Friendship Food Pantry for many years and at the Mid-America Windmill Museum since it opened.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 12, 2011, at 3 p.m. in Trinity Church United Methodist, Kendallville. Calling will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church. A private family burial service will take place at Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to Trinity Church United Methodist, 229 South State Street, Kendallville, Indiana, 46755 or to the Friendship Food Pantry, P.O. Box 244, Kendallville, Indiana, 46755.

Arrangements are by Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com