Phylis "Joan" Sharp , age 90 of Elwood, passed away on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Elwood Health and Living Care Center following a long, full life.  She was born July 25, 1931 in Tipton County, the daughter of Charles A. and Donna (Needham) Owens.  Following the death of her mother when she was 7 months old, Joan was raised by her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and John Holmes.  Joan was a 1949 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School.  She married Jimmie L. "Jim" Sharp shortly after graduation on June 11, 1949, and they shared 56 years of marriage together before his passing in 2005.  Joan last worked at J. Lewis Small Co. in Elwood in production for many years.  She also formerly worked at several area canning factories through the years.  Joan was especially devoted to caring for her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Joan was a longtime member of Bethel Baptist Church in Elwood where she had served as a deaconess at the church.  She enjoyed reading her bible every day and church bible studies with her friends on a regular basis.  Joan and Jim enjoyed many winters in Oak Hill, Florida where they attended Shady Grove Church.  Joan also enjoyed quilting, bowling in leagues, line dancing, camping, fishing, shopping on weekends, drinking coffee with her son nearly every morning, and researching genealogy with her daughter.  In recent years, she loved playing bingo at the care center.  She was an avid sports fan of the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Cubs, and the Indiana Pacers.  Joan's family finds comfort knowing she is reunited with her beloved husband, Jim, in Heaven.

Joan's family legacy includes 3 children, Dale E. (Peggy) Sharp of Anderson, Kent L. (Melinda) Sharp of Elwood, and Pamela J. (Larry) Gillam of Elwood; 7 grandchildren, Bryan (Deb) Sharp, Elizabeth Sharp (David Henry), Emily (Chris) Werline, Aaron (Anna) Gillam, Adam (April) Gillam, Andrea (Tommy) Hart, and Ronda (Mike) Scholl; 14 great-grandchildren, Jordan Thurston, Lindsey (Jeffery) Coleman, Haily Gillam, Jayden Gillam, Kiana Gillam, Peyton Gillam, Kayla Werline, Alexis Gillam, Aiden Hoppenrath, Adalynn Hart, Chandler Henry, Hillary (Eric) Deitchman, Allison Perez, and Austin Hart; 3 great-great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Phillip, and Mae; and several nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 5 brothers, Leroy Owens, (twin brother) Phillip Miller, Raymond McCubbins, Merrill "Jude" Holmes, and Danny Holmes; and 8 sisters, Betty Fenn, Wilma Jean Owens, Thelma Burns, Margaret Holmes, Mary Miller, Nettie Langley, Lena Rice, and Judy Mitchell.

A funeral service celebrating Joan's life and faith will be held at 12:00 pm on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Carl Roudebush of the Windfall Christian Church officiating.  Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery in Elwood.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 to 8 pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Health precautions for the safety of the family and all visitors are much appreciated.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Morrisett Center Food Pantry through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be made at www.copherfeslermay.com.