Obituary for Sonya Sharlene Spearman Exline

Sonya Sharlene Spearman Exline passed away on July 13, 2024 at home, surrounded by family after a 6 month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Sharlene was born June 26, 1937 in Columbus, Ohio to Corda L and E Pauline (Buess) Spearman on her maternal grandmother’s birthday. She had many cherished memories of growing up first in Columbus until age 5, and then on the family farm in Hardin County south of Forest where the family moved to in 1942. She made many life-long friends, and was part of a loving family her entire life. Sharlene met her future husband Robert (Bob) L Exline at Turner’s restaurant in Forest during her junior year in high school in 1954. They married March 25, 1957 and formed a loving partnership that continued until Bob’s death in 1993.
After graduating from Forest High School in 1955, where she was an excellent student, Sharlene took a position with The Ohio Oil Company (Marathon) in Findlay until leaving to begin their family. She worked as a photo oil colorist in the 1960s and ‘70s coloring photo prints (prior to good color photography) for Ann Dunetz and various area photographers. She briefly worked for the former Forest Cardinal and then for Rahrig’s from 1977 – 1981. She was an independent Longaberger consultant following Bob’s passing in 1993 until 2010.
Sharlene is survived by daughters Tami (Bill) Kotterman of Wharton, Terri Exline of Forest, Traci (Jim) Pickett of Lewis Center, and Tonya Exline of Westerville, and grandchildren Matt (Emily) Kotterman, Kory (Amanda) Kotterman, Kristi (Brice) Rausch, Kelli (Landon) Kessler, Ryan Justice, Jim Pickett, Jenna (Stephen) Magyar, and Jalene (Billy) Kinzel, 15 great-grandchildren plus one on the way, and sister Debra Spearman of Weaverville, NC. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother Ronald Spearman.
She was devoted to all of her family and friends, and they to her. Sharlene was an incredible, supportive mother to her children and grandchildren, always encouraging and being present with all of their activities and education.
Sharlene’s dedication to her community was an inspiration. She and her family were very proud of her 33 years of service with the Jackson-Forest EMS as a volunteer EMT. She was in the 2nd class for EMTs after formation of the EMS service in Forest and served from 1975 until 2008. She was among the top for most runs made, and comforted and cared for many in the community at times of illness and emergencies. Also, she served the community as a Forest Village Councilwoman for 16 years. She was a former honoree of the Community Spirit Award and Grand Marshal of the Forest Tree Town Festival parade.
Sharlene was a very active, lifelong member of the Forest United Methodist church. Her faith was very important to her. She was active in leadership positions and Forest-Wharton food pantry service, as well as former Sunday school teacher & superintendent, choir, and UMW Rachel group. Also, she was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority in Forest, Order of the Eastern Stars, and American Legion Auxiliary.
In her spare time, Sharlene enjoyed painting and gardening, and she won many Grand and Reserve champion awards at the Hardin County fair over the years. She was an avid reader and trivia master. As an animal lover, she enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels. She had many fond memories of her pony, horses, dogs, cats, and donkey. She enjoyed watching sports, both in-person and on TV, and was an avid Ohio State fan.
Sharlene loved to explore and travel to both new and familiar places, and was known to always have her map out while travelling in the car. She always looked forward to the family fishing trips to Manitoulin Island, Canada almost every summer since 1956. She also loved the beach, especially Florida, Hilton Head, and Gulf Shores, AL, and really enjoyed travelling over the years with family to far-flung destinations of Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, Great Britain, and in 2023 to Switzerland/Germany, as well as different places all over the country.
Services will be held Thursday, July 18th at 10:30 am at Clark Shields Funeral Home in Forest with Pastor Christopher Thacker officiating. Burial will follow in Hueston Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 4pm-7pm in the funeral home. The family would like to thank Wyandot Memorial Hospice for their compassionate care. Memorials may be made to the Forest United Methodist Church or the charity of the donor’s choice in care of Clark Shields Funeral Home.