Sharon S Ehrich

Born August 6, 1936 in Peoria to Howard Joseph and Martha (Stromberger) Slechta, she married Dr. Robert Ray Ehrich on June 30, 1957 in Peoria.  He survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Robert D. “Bob” (Marietta) Ehrich of Germantown Hills and John (Sonya) Ehrich of Aurora; and three grandchildren, Michelle Ehrich of Germantown Hills, Julianna Ehrich and Kevin Ehrich, both of Aurora.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one infant son, Ronald Dale Ehrich.

A 1954 graduate of Peoria High School, she received her dental hygienist degree from Northwestern University in 1956.  She had worked as a dental hygienist in Chicago, Peoria, and for her husband’s practice in Pekin.

Sharon later was a flight instructor at Waddell Airport in rural Manito, Mt. Hawley Airport in Peoria, and Lambert Field in St. Louis, MO.  She also taught flight ground school at Illinois Central College in East Peoria.  She participated in the Powder Puff Derby, an annual transcontinental air race in 1969, 1970 and 1971. 

She was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin, where she was an elder, former Bible and Sunday school teacher, and was a member of the Schooner’s group.  She was a member of Pekin Country Club and The Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots, founded by Amelia Earhart.  She was a past President of the Peoria Dental Society Auxiliary. 

Sharon was an avid reader and bridge player and enjoyed playing the piano. She was an avid supporter and volunteer for the Pekin AMBUC Charity Auction.  Sharon was a hard worker and did everything very enthusiastically.

Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 7, 2012 at First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin.  The Rev. Kristie Peterson will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight (Friday) at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin and also from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Saturday at the church.  Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Presbyterian Church, 1717 Highwood Avenue, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Illinois Central College Educational Foundation, 1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL 61635.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com