Sharon Irene (Potts) Gladish, 86, Petersburg

Sharon Irene (Potts) Gladish passed away at Amber Manor Care Center in Petersburg, surrounded by her daughters, on June 27, 2024. 

Born on February 17, 1938, in Petersburg to O.F. and Phoebe (Elkins) Potts, Sharon was the eighth of nine siblings.

Sharon graduated from Petersburg High School in 1956.

She married Kenneth Gladish on July 6, 1958, and will be laid to rest on what would have been Sharon and Kenneth’s 66th wedding anniversary.

She is survived by her sister Nancy (Jerry) Myers of Decatur, Texas; daughters, Stacy Gladish Woodall of Evansville and Shelly Gladish (John) Simeone of Indianapolis; granddaughters, Amy Woodall (Matt) Tate of Chicago, Laura Woodall (Gordon) Werner of Newburgh; stepgranddaughter, Lily Simeone of Indianapolis; great-grandsons, Maxwell Werner, Luke Werner and Benjamin Werner; great-granddaughter, Emma Werner; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two sisters, and five brothers.

Sharon was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, giving of time and energy to her family, friends, and community.

During Kenneth’s time in the Air Force, Sharon and Kenneth, and their daughters lived in Colorado Springs, where Kenneth was stationed at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) until June 1968, at which time the family moved to Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada where they lived until 1970, before returning to NORAD for three more years, and finally settling in Petersburg to raise their family.

After Kenneth’s retirement from the Hoosier Energy Power Company in 1995, they frequently traveled throughout the western United States, visiting family and friends in Texas and Arizona and spending time in Nevada. Spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play brought her great joy.

Sharon was a generous and active community member, serving as the director of the local Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program for several years, assisting children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, active in several clubs including Browning, Women’s Circle, Beta Sigma Phi social sorority, and a past member of the local garden club and bunco.

Sharon served on various committees including the Petersburg High School Alumni Banquet committee, the Community Foundation Scholarship banquet committee, and the United Way.

Sharon will be laid to rest at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Petersburg on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

Visitation will be held at Harris Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m.

Instead of flowers, the family requests those who wish to contribute donate to their favorite charity.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Amber Manor for the care and support provided to Sharon and her family.