Mrs. Sharon K. Yeager, 79, of Galesburg, Illinois died 2:28 a.m. Monday, February 24, 2020 at Seminary Manor in Galesburg.
She was born January 31, 1941 in Peoria, Illinois to Jesse L. and Gesina W. (Behrends) Sage. She married Dale Alan Yeager, April 22, 1960 in Galesburg. He preceded her in death April 13, 2017.
Surviving are her children, Kelly (and Doug) Gau of Galesburg, Mike (and Michelle) Yeager of Morrison, Colorado, Patricia (and Greg) McCrery of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jane (and Wayne) Keller of Deland, Florida; a brother, Gary E. Sage of Keokuk, Iowa; and nine grandchildren, Alex and Lauren Gau, Mathew, Joseph, and Jack Yeager, Philip and Samantha McCrery, and Annika and Sara Keller.
Sharon graduated from Galesburg High School in 1959 and started her work career at the Chicago Motor Club. After spending some time at home raising her young children, she managed Yeager Hardware in Galesburg as owner along with Dale in the 1970’s and then spent 17 years as the Transportation Director for Galesburg School District #205. While working full time and caring for her husband, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Western Illinois University in 1994 and passed her Series 7 and received her Certified Financial Planner certification. This led to a successful career as a Financial Consultant for Wachovia Securities until her retirement in 2004. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Galesburg. She served on many boards including, the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, Carl Sandburg College Foundation, Leadership Galesburg, and participated in the Western Illinois University Board of Governors Program. In addition to being an avid reader, Sharon also enjoyed staying active by walking, playing tennis and traveling. Her most cherished time was spent with her family and friends.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2020 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the chapel. Pastor Pamela Marolla will officiate. A private committal service will be at a later date in Memorial Park Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to Beacon of Hope Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
Mike Vitale
I new Sharon from our classmate days at Silas Willard. Always very upbeat, considerate and capable in all she did. Her accomplishments with family and the community following 1959 speak quietly but so well for her. Dale was a Cherry Street neighbor, the same has and can be said for him. My sincere sympathy to their large family. We're honored to have known Sharon and Dale. God bless them.
Judy Buck (Shotts Cornett)
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and dear friends of Sharon. What a legacy she leaves. Her tenacity, caring and bravery are a model for all of us.
Ann McKenzie (Polumbus)
Those of us who attended Silas Willard were in the same class from first grade through sixth grade. Sharon, Sandy Morrison, Casey Clark, Vicki Strand, Sally Hanouer, Mary Ellen Gordon, Dorilee Walworth and I, plus more, all went through those first six years together. Many of us left Galesburg and have seldom returned. Sharon stayed-- grew, blossomed, achieved, and was a leader and friend in everything she did. Her four children and many grands should be so proud of her. Sharon's life was not easy, but she remained curious, loyal, optimistic and as I said successful. Of the many outstanding people in our class, in my mind, Sharon stands out as a leader. My daughter, Courtney would say, "She was one of the good ones." Sharon is a real loss to Galesburg.
Dale Grupe
These post are copied here from the What's New pages, in order to have all relevant posts together.
Adale Lauver Finch Tessman posted a message. Feb 28, 2020 at 8:15 am
Condolences to the family of Sharon Yeager. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Richard Hogan posted a message. New comment added. Feb 28, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Posted on: Feb 25, 2020 at 1:48 pm
Donna Yeager Grady - My sincere condolences to you and Sharon's Sage Yeager's family. Sharon and Dale were dealt a tough road in life. Dale was severely affected as a young man by a serious stroke, until he passed away a couple of years ago. For decades Sharon was there to help Dale, then she was stricken with a serious health condition a few years ago. Sorry for her passing. She and Dale are now together again.
Doris Jean Colwell Seither and 2 other Classmates like this )
Donna Yeager Grady Feb 26, 2020 at 2:46 pm
Thank you Dick for your message. Yes, Dale and Sharon were both presented with challenges health wise but they both made the best of what was handed them. God has taken them so they can be together again. The reunion for them must have been glorious.
Jerry D Johnson Feb 28, 2020 at 3:58 pm
I also thank you, Dick... I didn't know what had happened to Sharon over the years. She must be someone to have admired with all her accomplishments despite the needs of her ailing husband. I remember Sharon at Silas Willard... always had a ton of energy, a real go-getter. My sympathies to the family and especially to you, Donna