Sharon Schaefer

WOLF LAKE, Ill. -- Mrs. Sharon Kay Turkington Schaefer, 64, of Wolf Lake died at 4:20 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, at her home.

She was born April 23, 1943, in Anna, Ill., daughter of Alfred Ray and Lucille Boyd Turkington. She married Gerhardt T. "Jerry" Schaefer July 4, 1970, in Anna.

A devoted wife and mother, Sharon was also very active in both public service and community activities, and she was a committed and successful businesswoman. She was part-owner and co-manager of Schaefer Enterprises of Wolf Lake for 37 of its 40 years.

She served as chairperson of the Wolf Lake Park Committee and Wolf Lake Homecoming Committee, secretary/treasurer of the Ware-Wolf Lake Fire Department, vice president of the Union County Housing Board, and she was a founding member, board member and officer of National Tractor Parts Association, as well as chairperson of its Scholarship Committee.

Sharon was always active in fundraisers of all kinds, including the American Cancer Society and school activities through the years, and she made sure that Schaefer Enterprises had ads in yearbooks and bought 4-H livestock at the Union County Fair. She also worked closely with the Wolf Lake Swamp Rats 4-H Club, but closest to her heart was the Christy Lynn Schaefer Scholarship which she administered for Shawnee High School in memory of their daughter.

Sharon is survived by her loving husband, Jerry Schaefer of Wolf Lake; a daughter, Lisa Jane File of Indianapolis; a son, William "Bill" Schaefer of Aurora, Ill.; a sister, Elsya Lea Elbert and husband Sam of Indianapolis.

Also numerous in-laws, including Elizabeth "Bets" Thoenen and Bob and Esther Schaefer of Bonnots Mill, Mo., Albert Schaefer of McPherson, Kan., Joan and Leo Fisher of Thebes, Ill., Lillian Luckenotte and Jim and Susan Evers of Holts Summit, Mo., Eugene and Bonnie Schaefer of Cypress, Ill., Dick and Kay Schaefer of Wolf Lake, Tom and Susan Schaefer of Columbia, Mo.; special uncles and aunts, Raymond and Violet Boyd of Jonesboro, and Carl and Jane Verble of Indianapolis.

She will also be missed by the many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who filled her life with joy.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Christy Lynn Schaefer; her parents; and grandparents, Jess and Hattie Turkington and R.L. and Hattie Boyd.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, and from 1 p.m. to service time Sunday at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna.

The funeral for Mrs. Sharon Kay Schaefer will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Prather officiating. Cremation will follow the service.

Rather than flowers, the family asks friends to consider memorials to one of the following: the Christy Lynn Schaefer Memorial Scholarship, the Wolf Lake Community Park, or American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.