Obit of Carl Sharp

CHATSWORTH— Carl Woodrow Sharp, 99, Chatsworth, died at 6:35 a.m. Sunday (May 13, 2012) at Piper City Rehab and Living Center.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wed-nesday at the United Methodist Church of Chatsworth, with the Rev. David Reynolds officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the hour of service Wednesday at the church. Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth is handling arrangements for the family. Burial will be at Brenton Township Cemetery, rural Piper City. Memorials may be made in Carl’s name to First United Methodist Church of Chatsworth or the Chatsworth Library.
Carl was born March 4, 1913, in Roberts, son of Leonard Houk and Hattie Isabelle Brantley Sharp. He married Thelma Gladys Ford on Aug. 13, 1938, in Chatsworth. They spent the next 73 years together raising their family, working their farm and showing the world what “happily ever after” really means. He farmed all his life and retired in 1993 and moved to Chatsworth.
He was one of eight children born to the Sharp family and was the last to carry on the family tradition. He was preceded in death by his parents and five sisters, Jessie, Velma, Mildred, Madie and Theakla; two brothers, Leon and Digsby; and one grandson, Eric Carl.
Carl is survived by his wife, Thelma Sharp, Chatsworth; three sons, Gene Sharp, Chatsworth; Don (Eleanor) Sharp, Mount Pulaski; and Rick (Dana) Sharp, Champaign; nine grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
He loved sports. He pitched horseshoes, played softball and pitched baseball for several years. Carl belonged to the Christian Dartball League for 60 years.
Carl was a member of United Methodist Church of Chatsworth and held several positions on church committees. He helped construct the new church in 1980. Carl was the secretary for the Kankakee-Streator men’s $20 Club for several years. He was a gifted and humorous writer who wrote poems for many different occasions. Carl was active in the Heritage Days Program for several years which he enjoyed very much. He loved trees and enjoyed helping plant trees for wind breaks and planting fruit trees wherever he lived.
He was a member of the Chatsworth Sportsman Club from the time it began until it disbanded, even serving as its president. Carl loved to play cards, square dance and work in the garden. He always kept his lawn mowed even at his advanced age.
Carl loved his family and grandchildren and always made sure they knew it. His life was a testimony of love, grace, generosity and kindness to all who had the good fortune to know him. He was never without a smile, never complained and never spoke an unkind word about another human being. He loved to sit on his front porch swing and wave to all who passed by and he loved welcoming family and friends into his home where he served as the consummate host. His passing leaves a void in his family that can never be filled, and he will never be forgotten.
This obituary may be viewed and private condolences left at www.calvertmartinmemorial.com and www.martin-funeralhomes.com.