WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Sharon Rose Rhinesmith, age 84, of Burr Oak, died on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Parkview LaGrange Hospital. Sharon fell at home on January 16, and passed away from complications from a broken back and surgery. She was born June 30, 1941 in Goshen, the daughter of (Hubert) LeRoy and Laura (Mishler) Rhinesmith. In 1946 the family moved to Michigan where they made Locust Grove Mennonite Church of Burr Oak, their home church. It was here at a very young age Sharon accepted Jesus Christ as her savior. She taught summer Bible school and Sunday school there for many years.
Sharon attended four different country schools before going to Colon High School, Colon, and later graduated from night school at Sturgis High School. Sharon also graduated from a three-year Michigan Mennonite winter Bible course at Fairview, MI. During this time, she worked at Lamb Knit and Colmers in Colon.
Leaving Colon, she served 2 years in Mennonite Voluntary Service (VS) at the Virginia Home in Richmond, VA. On returning home Sharon started working at Froh Community Home (now Thurston Woods) in Sturgis. While there she enrolled in continuing education classes at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Home Care Association of Michigan of Lansing, and became the first Activities Director of Froh Home.
Sharon volunteered her time for 25 years to Project Promise of Goshen. She concluded her work history as a receptionist first working for Paul E. Lepard, OD in Sturgis, and next for Dr. Dean M. Brubaker, DDS of Shipshewana, and lastly for Dr. Douglas G. Whitehead, DDS of Shipshewana.
Sharon attended the first service of Firm Foundation Ministries in Centreville. Having received a call from God, she became the first church historian and a part of the worship team where she ministered using many flags of worship to glorify the Lord.
In 2011 her lifelong dream of going on a mission trip came true by going to the Dominican Republic.
Surviving is one brother Charles (and his wife Sheryl) Rhinesmith of Wilmington, OH and one sister Janelle Graber of Elkhart, and a brother-in-law Kevin Mitchell (and his wife) Pamela Eichorn and many nieces and nephews both great and great-great.
Deceased are her sister Gloria, brother in law John Ganger and sister Rebecca (Rhinesmith) Mitchell.
Nephews Dustin Rhinesmith and Jay Ganger.
The Rhinesmith family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Firm Foundation Ministries: 651 E Main St, Centreville, MI 49032 from 12:00 to 3:00. A funeral service celebrating Sharon’s life will begin at 3:00 with pastors: Jay Ulrich, Rod Detweiler, and Don Smith officiating. Private interment will take place in Locust Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks memorial donations to be made to either Rooted or Recovery Revival. Envelopes will be available at church.
Arrangements by Schipper Funeral Home.
