Sharon Jean Knepper worked for Bluffton College
Sharon Jean Knepper, 83, passed away February 14, 2023 at Optimized Senior Living in Lebanon, Ohio. Sharon was born March 6, 1939 in Lima to the late Gordon and Evelyn Jean (Smiley) Allison Berry. On May 7, 1960 she married Robert Knepper who preceded her in death on July 23, 2007.
Sharon was a graduate of Lima Senior High School and retired from Bluffton College where she was a secretary for the Buildings and Grounds. She was a member of the Pandora United Methodist Church. She loved her family, and if you had a conversation with her, you knew that immediately. Sharon knew no stranger. If you were lucky enough to cross paths with her, you walked away knowing you were loved as well. She was a master of many talents, but she loved playing piano the most. She shared her talent, with the heart of a servant, every Sunday in church. Her mission in life was to make people happy. As her memory declined, her spirit did not. To the very end she remained steadfast in her role. She would often say "I'm happy happy" and in true Sharon fashion, her final words were "love you" and left us to be with the love of her life, our dad, on Valentine's day.
Survivors include a son, Russell (Cathi) Knepper of Waynesville, Ohio; a daughter, Allison (Kelli Stephens) Knepper of Bluffton; a grandson, Kyle (Brittany) Knepper of Cincinnati; a great-grandson, Jonah Knepper and a sister, Barbara (David) Stites of Lima.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton with Pastor Mark Hollinger officiating. Burial will be in Harman Cemetery near Gilboa. Visitation will be on Monday from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Optimized Senior Living, 150 Rough Way, Lebanon, Ohio 45036 or Queen City Hospice, 4605 Duke Drive, Suite 220, Mason, Ohio 45040.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com/
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Friday, August 28, 2026
Thursday, August 27, 2026
- One seriously injured in Union Township crash
- President Sider introduces Reinvest, Reinvent, Reimagine framework in State of the University
- Bluffton girls tennis loss vs. Wapakoneta
- Pirate volleyball sweeps Rockets
- EMS Chief Noah Babcock is Sept. 1 Bluffton Lions speaker
- Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology): Air pollution and rheumatoid arthritis
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
- Aug. 24 Bluffton Council recap: MHCO duplexes and long range Village planning
- Beaverdam installs AED at village park
- Pirate girls tennis edges St. Mary
- Pirate boys soccer tames Bearcats
- WIP Wednesday: Window on your world
- OPEN POLL: What do farmers wish non-farmers knew?
- 2026 PorchFest preview: LeBlanc Zepplin, CAWZ, Marlena Rock
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- Headlines on the Ada Icon, August 22- 25
- Sue Corle worked for Ohio Northern University
- Pandora's Niese Ag LLC wins 2026 Red Gold Stewardship award
- Goshen College innovation leader to explore AI through a liberal arts lens
- Pirate volleyball loses to Shawnee
- Pirate boys golf sweeps NWC tri
- Figurines and household items recontextualized in "Amusings" exhibit
- Bruce Chesser: A Ceramic Retrospective, Aug. 24-Sept 26
- Bluffton Lions reach 80% of All Abilities Playground fundraising goal