Sharon Mandrell

MORTON – Sharon L. Mandrell, 86, of Morton, passed away Friday, February 3, 2023, at Hopedale Nursing Home.

She was born on February 27, 1936, in Peoria, to Harry and Winifred (McCully) Ross. Sharon married Ken Mandrell on April 11, 1954, in Peoria. He preceded her in death on December 21, 1997. She was also preceded in death by one son, Ross Mandrell in 2005 and one grandchild.

Surviving are three daughters, Kendra (Jerry) Briggs of Pekin, Wanda (Ron) Severtson of Tremont and Twyla Rainey of Bloomington, Ill.; two sons, Kevin (Gail Welch) Mandrell of San Antonio, Texas and Scott Mandrell of East Peoria; one brother, Jerry (Beverly) Ross of San Diego, Calif. and one sister, Carol (Larry) McCool of Bowling Green, Ky.; 14 grandchildren including Jami (Dale) Holzwarth, Michael Mandrell, Nathan Mandrell; several great grandchildren including Zachary Gillespie, Lauren Holzwarth and Kristen Holzwarth; one great-great grandson, Oliver Gillespie; and one special niece, Lindy Ross.  

Sharon worked in the cafeteria for Morton Unit School District 709, retiring in 1985.

She was a charter member of Advent Lutheran Church in Morton, where she was a Sunday school teacher. Sharon was also a den mother and Girl Scout leader. She loved spending time with her family, reading and collecting angels. Sharon enjoyed watching Jeopardy and doing crossword puzzles to keep her mind sharp as a tack.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, February 10, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hirstein Cemetery in Morton.

Memorials may be made to charity of the donor’s choice.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.knappjohnson.com.