Sharon Ferguson

Jo Sharon Ferguson (74) of Washington, IL, formerly of Sumner, IL, passed away peacefully in her home and surrounded by her family on January 23, 2023.

Sharon was born in Oklahoma on July 2, 1948, to Josephine (Jo) & Jerry Hopper.  Sharon married her husband, Larry D. Ferguson, on July 30, 1967, in Sumner, IL.  Their devotion to each other and their 56-year marriage have been a testament of true love and an inspiration to so many.

In addition to her loving husband, Sharon is survived by her daughters, Melissa (Tim) Dixon of Hudson, Illinois, and Julie (Brad) Haning of Mackinaw, Illinois; two grandsons, Joshua (Ashley) Swank of Knoxville, IL, and Jacob (Brooklyn) Swank of Peoria, IL; one great granddaughter, Tinley Jo Swank and one great grandson, Beckham Crew Swank.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; twin brothers, Garry & Larry Hopper; Father-in-Law, James Ferguson; Mother-in-Law, Jewell Ferguson, and Brother-in-Law, Jim Ferguson.

Sharon began her working career as a hairdresser.  She then served as church secretary at Sumner United Methodist Church and retired from First National Bank of Sumner, where she worked as a bank teller and loan officer.

The titles that Sharon enjoyed most in her life were Wife, Mom, Grandma (a.k.a. “Granny”) and Great Grandma (a.k.a. “Grandma JoJo”).  For Sharon, there was no greater joy than being surrounded by and loving on her family.  When she wasn’t spending time with her family, she could be found with a needle in her hand doing beautiful cross stitch, sewing quilts or painting.  She loved spending time on a lake just fishing and soaking up sunshine.  Springtime always meant planting flowers so they could be enjoyed all summer.  Sharon was also very well-known for her perfect homemade pie crust.  If there was a get-together, Sharon was expected to bring the pies and her famous homemade potato salad!

Sharon battled Parkinson’s Disease for 25 years, but she never once complained or allowed her struggles to outweigh her ability to always make everyone around her feel loved and special.  She was truly one of God’s angels and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Cremation has been accorded by Davis-Oswald Funeral Home, Minier, IL.  There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Davis Lodge, Lake Bloomington, 25449 Davis Lodge Road, Hudson, IL.

Memorials may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and Transitions Hospice Care.

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research:  By phone: 800-708-7644, online at michaeljfox.org/donate, or by mail to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.  Please reference “Jo Sharon Ferguson Memorial” & include email address jbhaning@outlook.com.

Transitions Hospice Care:  By mail to Transitions Hospice Care, 1551 Bond St Suite #143, Naperville, IL 60563.  Please reference “Jo Sharon Ferguson Memorial”.

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