Sharon Wheeler

Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher. Japanese Proverb.

Sharon Mae Tingley Wheeler, 80, a lifelong educator, beloved mother, devoted Nana, and cherished sister and friend, passed peacefully on October, 30, 2023 at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, IL, after a very short battle with cancer.

Born May 26, 1943, in Clark County to the late Reuben and Elsie (Claypool) Tingley, Sharon was the eighth and youngest child in a large, close, and loving family. She is survived by two daughters, Alicia (Stewart)

Ekhoff of Indianapolis, IN, and Hollie (Whit) Heintz, of Champaign, IL; five grandchildren, Jacob Ekhoff of Urbana, IL, Christian (Katie) Ekhoff of Indianapolis, Hannah, Harper, & Eliza Heintz of Champaign, IL; one sister, Betty Biggs of Decatur, IL; life-long friend, Alice Taylor, of Champaign, IL; nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, Robert, Reuben Junior, Hobart, and Howard Tingley, two sisters, Ferne Compton, and Helen Tingley, and former husband, Edward Wheeler.

Sharons journey on this earth is a testament to a life well-lived, marked by a profound commitment to education, family, faith, and the simple joys of life. She graduated from Mattoon High School in 1961 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education (English) from Eastern Illinois University. She taught English formally for nearly 40 years with tenures at Arcola High School, Mattoon High School, and Centennial High School in Champaign, IL. She was known as a teacher who taught to her students potential and accepted nothing less. She enjoyed her colleagues immensely, counting many of them as close friends, and served as the faculty sponsor for many groups, including her favorite community volunteering group, Students Moving Ahead in Mattoon (SMAIM).

Sharon was always reading, always learning, and always teaching. After needing to retire from formal teaching before she was quite ready, she continued editing, tutoring, mentoring, and teaching students of all education levels, ages, and backgrounds for another decade from her home in Champaign. She left an indelible mark on countless minds, many of them reaching out to her through the years to share that they had been inspired by

her to become authors, journalists, or teachers themselves. To her last days, she continued teaching valuable lessons to her daughters, grandchildren, and friends, often starting conversations with, "I wanted to share with you something that I recently learned."

Sharons faith was the cornerstone of her life. As a child, she was shaped by her fathers sermons, small town revivals, and grew up with a personal relationship with Jesus. She attended several special churches throughout her life and always taught Sunday School, worked with youth groups, sat on committees and boards, and attended special classes. At Faith United Methodist, her church home for the last 25 years, she became a trained Stephens Minister to provide 1:1 care for those who are hurting, and was a proud member of the Discovery Sunday School class.

Sharons favorite role of all was that of Nana to her grandchildren. She never failed to read them stories, help them study for a test, cheer them on at their sporting events and recitals, and share with them about her faith. They learned so much from her, including how to enjoy the simple thingsgood coffee, colorful birds and butterflies, reading, watching murder mysteries and British comedies, and her comforting reminder in times of difficulty that, "This, too, shall pass."

A Celebration of Life in Sharons honor will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, November 11, 2023 at her church home, Faith United Methodist Church, 1719 S. Prospect, Champaign, Illinois 61820 ending with the interment of ashes in the church courtyard, and a luncheon at the church immediately afterward.

Memorials in her honor may be made to Sharons two favorite causes, the local Public Broadcasting Station or to the Arthritis Foundation.

The family has entrusted Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 710 N. Neil St. Champaign, IL. 61820 with her cremation.

Please join her family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.susetfuneralhome.com