Sharon Mabel Hartman

Sharon Mabel Eisele was born on Jan.1, 1945 in North Tonawanda, New York. She was the third of three children born to Stephen Eisele and Leontine Lindsay. Sharon spent the first part of her childhood living in the upstairs apartment over her grandparents’ store, and had many fond memories of playing with cousins in the large basement. Sharon moved to California just before junior high and she would live out the remainder of her life in the Golden State. Sharon met Donald during their senior year at Reseda High School. They got married two years later. Don and Sharon were married ten years before they had their first daughter, Heather. They moved to Chowchilla in 1978 when Heather was three-years-old. Unknown to them at the time of the move, they were pregnant with their second daughter, Tiffany who was born in late 1978. Donald passed away in 2009, but Sharon remained in Chowchilla until 2020 when she moved to Merced to live in an active senior apartment complex.

Sharon worked for over 30 years as an instructional aide at Fuller School in Chowchilla. She spent most of her time in 1st and 2nd grade, giving out hugs, spelling tests, and smiles. In Sharon’s own words, she did not excel in school. Because of her own struggles, she identified with the students who had a hard time learning. She spent extra time working with students at reading and math. She was loved by the students and teachers alike. Sharon loved spending time with her family, loved playing board games, and loved her friends. She was described as being sweet and innocent, but her closest friends know she had a sassy side! Above all else, Sharon was an amazing mother. She devoted her life to making sure that her daughters wanted for nothing.

Sharon is survived by her daughters Heather Forcey (Eric Forcey) and Tiffany Van Winkle. She was blessed with five grandsons: Logan Hartman, Hunter Brown, Evan Forcey, Hudson Forcey, and Aiden Steele.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Chowchilla. A lunch reception will follow.

Sharon holds a special place in her heart for Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley Children’s Hospital, and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Family and Friends are invited to view Sharon‘s legacy at www.whitehurstsullivan.com and write condolences.