Sharon Gresham

Sharon A. Gresham

Age 78 of Wilmington, passed away Sunday morning, March 4, 2018 at The Timbers of Shorewood.

Born August 25, 1939 in Cabery, Illinois, Sharon Ann was a daughter of the late Donald Trost and Julia Ann Correct-Trost. She was raised in Kankakee and graduated from Kankakee High School with the Class of 1957. In December of 1958, Sharon married Jerry L. Gresham in Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City. She was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington and formerly belonged to the Wilmington Fire Department Fire Bells.

Sharon’s employment included driving a bus for Lund Bus Service for 15 years, as well as working at Johnson & Johnson Personal Products, from where she retired after 25 years of service.

Sharon loved to cook and bake, and enjoyed playing the slot machines at the casino. In her down time she took pleasure in gardening, as well as just simply watching the birds. Sharon was also one who never allowed a birthday, anniversary or special event to pass without remembering. When her children were growing up, Sharon always remained active in their school sports and activities, and being a grandparent only provided a greater source of this delight. She never missed a game or activity that the grandkids participated, and most recently watching her granddaughter Olivia play volleyball was one of her greatest joys.

Sharon was blessed with many friendships over the years, however the bond that she maintained with dear friends, Peggy Ragain, Jinnie Parrish, JoAnn Friddle and Fran Strobel, was truly special.

Although Sharon will be deeply missed by many, there is comfort in knowing that she is now ‘safely home’.

Survivors include her husband Jerry L. Gresham; four children: Gerald (Denita) Gresham of Wilmington, Patricia (Donald) Klank of Channahon, Kenneth (Sandi) Gresham of Coal City and Kathleen (Daniel) Nelson of Coal City, as well as Christopher (Sharon) Nugent of Bolingbrook, who was like a son. nine grandchildren: Dionna (Joey) Rivera, Jeramy (Laura) Reeb, Eric Klank, Jeffrey Klank, Olivia Klank, William (Tiffany) Oswald, Cheryl Oswald-Hatley, Ryan Nelson and Daniel Nelson; (10) great grandchildren: Izabella, Oakley, Cooper, Landon, Trevor, Gabriella, Max, Alexandria, Sophia and Wyatt; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ricky (Linda) Reavis of Coal City, Terri (the late Randy) Reavis of Wilmington, Jimmy Reavis of Joliet, Ruthann Smith and Ruth (the late Donald) Gresham, both of Wilmington and Betty Imhauser of Kankakee, and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her dear caretaker, Twinkle Ignacio.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents: Donald Trost and Julia and Clinton “Kenny” Stewart; brother, Donnell Trost, nephew Donnell Trost, II and sister-in-law, Linda Bradley.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Tuesday March 6, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until time of funeral service 7:00 p.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Reverend Sebastian Gargol from St. Rose Catholic Church will preside.

A private family burial will follow in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery, where Sharon will be laid to rest with her parents: Julia and Clinton Stewart.

Pallbearers will be: Joey Rivera, Ryan Nelson, Daniel Nelson, Jeramy Reeb, Eric Klank and Jeffrey Klank.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Sharon’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com/notices/Sharon-Gresham.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)