Dorothy Brockmiller Sharp, 93, of Canton, Illinois died at 6:15 am, Saturday, January 13, 2018 in Canton. Dorothy Mae Brockmiller was born April 19, 1924 to Paul and Esther (Groves) Brockmiller in Carlinville, Illinois. She married Francis Leo Sharp at Zion Lutheran Church, Carlinville, Illinois on July 2, 1944 and they shared 45 wonderful years together. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her youngest sister, Wanda Caselli, two brother-in-laws, Eugene Caselli and Edgar Greenwalt, as well as a niece and four nephews. She is survived by two sisters; Pauline Greenwalt and Shirley (Dale) Stone all of Carlinville, a niece, Jeanna (William) Caselli Supple of Edwardsville, Illinois, great nieces and nephews, and Godchildren.
When her husband was selected by the University of Illinois (Agriculture) to be the Farm Adviser in Massac County, Leo and Dorothy moved from Carlinville and spent five years in Metropolis, Illinois. She was responsible for the organization of the Massac County Home Bureau (Extension). She was asked to conduct seminars with the University of Illinois Home Economics Department, local locker food plants, and area fruit growers in the exciting new process of food preservation called freezing. She was active in her church, Girl Scouts and Woman’s Club.
When her husband was chosen as University of Illinois Agriculture Adviser they moved to Fulton County on March 1, 1951 and resided in Canton. They were very active in the Trinity Lutheran Church serving as high school youth counselors for many years. Dorothy taught the adult Sunday school class and Bible study classes. She was active in several guilds and served on many committees locally, as well as district and state-wide. She was a past member of the Canton Woman’s Club. She thoroughly enjoyed traveling all over Illinois giving programs on her antique cookbooks and German heritage. She felt honored and blessed to serve on the Fulton County Red Cross Board, The Illinois P.E.O. Home Board of Trustees at Knoxville, Illinois, the Board of Trustees of Graham Hospital, and the Board of Trustees of the North Central Behavior Health Systems. She was very proud when she became a P.E.O. in Chapter BZ in 1960. She was a charter member of Chapter LY, P.E.O. in 1976. She was honored as a 50 year P.E.O. member in 2010. She was a charter member of the Spoon River China Art Guild and taught this ancient art of china painting for 45 years, continuing to paint well beyond her 93rd birthday. She assisted her husband in the organization of the Fulton County Rural Couples Club in 1952, a club that has met for over 60 years. She was a member of Homemaker’s Extension, Graham Hospital Service League, and the Fulton County Farm Bureau.
In the 1950’s she created “Harvest House” a catering service. Her goal was to advertise in Better Homes and Gardens by proving worthy to be endorsed by the magazine. Several of her famous German fruitcakes were sent to Better Homes and Gardens and finally she received a phone call. She had been accepted and informed that according to their standards, she only had one real competitor in the entire United States, Colin Street Bakery in Texas. Her fruitcakes were sold and sent all over the world. She had achieved her goal.
In September of 2014 she received her Sept.-Oct. issue of The China Decorator, an international magazine for china painting teachers and artists. She was deeply moved that she had been honored and featured along with pictures of her artwork. The article highlighted her lifelong love of art. Her displays on walls and tables consist of china painted plates and oil paintings, as well as large lamps to small, cherished jewel boxes.
On March 15, 2012 she entered Red Oak Estates, an assisted living health care center in Canton. As a resident she taught a weekly Bible study class, organized and chaired a Residential Board, and assisted in compiling a quarterly newsletter.
Many of Dorothy’s fondest memories were of she and Leo’s travels to many of the National Parks all over the United States, as well as their travels to Canada and Mexico. She proudly served as her family’s Historian, sharing countless treasured memories of times gone by as well as a wealth of family heritage. Her love of family, friends and her community not only earned her the beloved title of Family Matriarch, but also the distinction of being one of the true Matriarchs of Fulton County.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation or to the Trinity Lutheran Church Seminary Scholarship Fund, both in care of Oaks-Hines Funeral Home, 1601 East Chestnut Street, Canton, IL 61520.
Per Dorothy’s wishes there will be a Private Lutheran Graveside Burial.
To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com
