Sharon Douthit
Sharon E. Douthit of Sterling, IL passed away peacefully at her home early Saturday morning, Feb. 15, 2024.
Sharon was born Nov. 7, 1939, in Peoria County IL to parents Frank Douthit Jr. and Bernadine M. Douthit.
She attended Rome Grade School and Chillicothe High School. IL State was the college of her choice for earning her bachelor's degree and Colorado State College for her master's degree. She was a lifelong learner and during her career, she earned many, many additional college credits from several sources far beyond these degrees.
She taught briefly in Colorado but the bulk of her career from 1961-1994 was as a Physical Education High School Teacher at Sterling High School. She was a very well respected, innovative teacher. She made a great impact on her students during her long teaching career in both her teaching and extracurricular sports activities.
She was an excellent role model and for many the influence made a lifelong difference. Every time she went anywhere, she would always run into former students and have great conversations with them. She loved sharing memories with them as she remembered her students well. She was always interested in them, their families and their career choices. She was well respected by her colleagues and became very close friends with many of them. She was viewed as a very capable, organized, fair, hardworking team leader.
Some of her responsibilities or positions at various times included Head of P.E. Department, Assistant Athletic Director, Supervisor for many Home Athletic Events at the Fieldhouse, and an integral part of the Golden Girls Basketball Championship Teams providing vital support for the athletes and their coaching staff. She loved all aspects of her teaching career and contributed greatly to the success of her students and the success of her extra curricular activities.
She had many interests. She co-owned a beautiful vacation home in Eagle River, WI and enjoyed years and years of peaceful summers. She was kept very busy with WI friends and other visitors that routinely went to visit them. Everyone who shared that time with her created beautiful memories. She also was very active with Field Spaniels and enjoyed being a member of all of their organizations. She loved touring the dog show circuit and personally showed many of them on their way to becoming champions. She loved the friendships she made and everything about this wonderful hobby.
She enjoyed sports of many kinds and participated throughout the years in many different ones. She loved attending church and was happy to have recently become a member locally. She loved going to Smilers, a retired teachers' group, and tried very hard not to miss their monthly luncheons.
She enjoyed a diverse group of other interests such as shopping locally and through Amazon, card playing, local concerts, boating, watching sports, donating to favorite charities, and occasionally you could see her having fun at a slot machine with a friend.
Her friends always admired her great sense of style with her choice of clothes, her fun sense of humor, her dedication and loyalty to friends and family, her energy and always being ready to get together and have fun at the spur of the moment.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Roswell Ferguson, sister-in law Pat Douthit, nephews Tim and Tony Wolf and longtime friend, Susan Strong.
Sharon is survived by her brother, Frank Richmond Douthit III; her nieces Francy DeVries and Mary Jo (Lou) Harkenrider; nephews Jeff (Vivi) Wolf, Greg (Diane) Wolf; and all their families including surviving members of Tim and Tony Wolf. Many Kansas and Nebraska families were also special to Sharon including those of Jim Douthit, Thad Douthit, Gladys Douthit Freeling, Edith Douthit Miller and George Pfleeger. She loved all her family and treasured wonderful memories with each of them.
Sharon, you will be missed by so many because you are loved by so many. Most of all we all admire your spunk and determination that you had every day of your life no matter the ever-changing health issues that came your way. You truly made the best of every minute despite the challenges.
Sharon's family would like to acknowledge her care team family for the friendship and care they provided in her time of need.
Gathering of friends and family will take place on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, from 11:00-11:45 A.M. at the First Congregational Church in Rock Falls. Memorial Service will follow at 11:45 AM. Luncheon will be after; at the Rock Falls Candlelight. Burial will be at a later date at Saint Joseph Mooney Cemetery in Rome, IL.
Memorials may be made to your choice of Stormy Lake Association (WI), Congregational Church (Rock Falls), Sterling Schools Foundation, or Kidney Foundation.
You were a very special friend and will live in the hearts of many forever. PAID OBITUARY
