Sharon Ann Macklin Holeman's Obituary
Mt. Zion – Sharon Ann Macklin Holeman, 75, of Mt. Zion, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2016 in St. Mary’s Hospital with family at her side.
Sharon was born September 13, 1940 in Bethany, Illinois, the daughter of Charles J. and Ruth E. Weakly Macklin. She graduated from Mt. Zion High School and was a life-long member of the community. She met Joseph Donald “Don” Holeman when his family moved to Mt. Zion from the Chicago area in the early 1950’s. They were married on September 21, 1956, in Hernando, MS. They would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this September. Her most important work was being a wife, mother and ‘Nanny’ to her family members and their friends. She began a career in banking at Mt. Zion State Bank which later became Prairie State Bank and Trust. She retired as the Assistant Vice President after 30 years of dedicated and loyal service with an uncanny ability to remember every customer and treat them as she would want her own loved ones to be treated. She was gifted and talented as a leader in the field of banking and finance. She excelled in classes and certifications received from the American Institute of Banking. She felt a deep sense of accountability in using her skills to help the community. With that being her philosophy, she served the community for over 30 years as the treasurer of the Mt. Zion Community Unit Schools. She was able to ensure accountability for every penny of millions of taxpayers’ dollars which she balanced with such precise expertise each month. This was just one of the many ways in which she served the community and others. She was also involved in other activities and organizations over the years: Mt. Zion Township Library Board, Mt. Zion High School Booster Club, Mt. Zion Swingsationsand Les Femmes Booster Club, Mt. Zion Jaycees, Mt. Zion Schools PTA, Boy Scout Den leader, University of Illinois Master Gardeners program, and most near and dear to her heart, Holy Family Catholic Church and Holy Family Catholic School. She served her church and the school with a quiet and grateful heart for the faith she so loved and the belief in an educational foundation based in the Catholic faith. She was a compassionate, loving, dedicated and humble servant. She also loved working in her yard where she loved picking up sticks, pulling weeds and ensuring a beautiful landscape. She also enjoyed quilting, reading, feeding her hummingbirds and any event or activity that allowed her to be there to support her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren…whether in a church, gym, school auditorium, ball diamond, go-cart track or soccer field. She loved the Fighting Illini, the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Big Blue of Millikin University…where her children and grandchildren graduated with honors. She also loved the Chicago Bears! Her greatest passion was her family! She was her happiest when surrounded at home with the love and laughter of family and friends. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a role model to others with her commitment to her Catholic faith, love of family, dedication in service to others and willingness to give back in whatever way possible to make a difference in the lives of others. She made the world a more beautiful place!
A very special thanks from our family to Dr. Ben Esparez and Dr. Dan Smith and their families and staff members. We are blessed to have had such phenomenally talented doctors and professionals providing such impressive levels of care and compassion. We are forever grateful, Dr. Ben and Dr. Dan!!! Our deepest appreciation to the nurses at St. Mary’s Hospital…there are angels among us called nurses!
Our angel, Sharon Ann, leaves to carry on her legacy the following family…her husband, Joseph Donald Holeman of Mt. Zion; sons; Donnie(Sherie) Holeman of Mt. Zion, Doug (Marcie) Holeman of Decatur, and daughter, Debbie Ann (Scott) Alexander of Decatur. Grandchildren; Katie Ann (Brian) Fabbro of Carmel, IN, Dylan Joseph ‘DJ’ (Gwen) Holeman of Chicago, Russell West of Chicago , Cameron Douglas HolemanShipp (Colleen Pohley, very, very special friend) of Walnut Creek, CA, and Dorie Ann Holeman(Ben Ellegood, fiancé) of St. Charles, MO. Great-grandchildren, Keaton Ann and Emerson Joan Fabbro with our “Little Man” Fabbro expected in early September. There are also many special nieces, nephews and their families who cherish their Auntie Sharon. She also leaves behind Bentley, Mac, Sophie and Stella…precious pets of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM, Wednesday, July 27, 2016, in Holy Family Catholic Church, 2400 S. Franklin Street Road, Decatur, IL 62521; Very Reverend Joseph M. Molloy, V. F., celebrant. Per Sharon’s wishes, there will be no visitation prior to the Mass. Burial will follow immediately in Mt. Zion Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church or Holy Family Catholic School.
The family of Sharon Ann Macklin Holeman is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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