Sharon Middleton

Sharon Rose Middleton, 77, of Decatur, passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a long illness with dementia.

Born December 7, 1947, in Vandalia, IL, she was the daughter of Charles and Erma Ragle. Her family moved to Decatur when she was in fourth grade, meeting her future husband, Clarence L. Middleton Jr. The two were classmates through graduation at Lakeview High School, Class of 1966, where Sharon played clarinet in the marching band. They married on April 8, 1967.

During Clarence’s Navy service, they lived in Florida and Georgia before returning to Illinois and settling in northwest Decatur, where they raised their three children: Gina Hoots (Phillip), Jennifer Middleton, and Scott Middleton (Renee).

Sharon was a lifelong creator, teacher, and volunteer. She co-owned Country Corner Gifts and Crafts with her mother, Erma, and taught hundreds of community art and craft classes across central Illinois — from tole painting and quilting to stamping and scrapbooking. Her creativity and practical teaching style made her a favorite instructor for students of all ages.

She gave generously of her time to causes that mattered to her. In recent years, she served as President of the Decatur Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and as Vice President of the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education. She volunteered with the Central Illinois Decorative Artists (CIDA),  Project Linus, the Warrensburg-Latham PTA, and more. Sharon often exhibited her work at local craft shows, always sharing her love of creating with others.

Sharon is survived by her husband of 58 years, Clarence; her mother, Erma Ragle; children Gina, Jennifer, and Scott; grandchildren Meghann, Jacoby (Macklin), Benjamin (Codi), Crosby, Jackson, Colin, Cameron, and Lara; and great-grandchildren Wesley, Corbin, Avett, and Josie.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Oakland Avenue, Decatur. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m., with burial immediately after at Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Macon County Association for Home and Community Education (IAHCE). ( www.mchce.org )

In tribute to Sharon’s lifelong passion for crafting, the family invites the public to a special Fabric & Quilt Estate Sale featuring her extensive personal fabric collection on August 1st (1p-6p) and 2nd (8a-2p) at the Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church Annex, 345 W. Main Street, Mt. Zion, IL.