Sharon Ann Steinmetz

Sharon Ann (Bowron) Steinmetz, aged 81, passed away unexpectedly on November 11, 2024. Sharon was born in South Bend, Indiana, in 1942 and moved to Indianapolis in 1956 with her parents, siblings and paternal grandmother. She attended Colfax School and St. Anthony Grade School, both in South Bend, and St. Andrew Grade School, Indianapolis. She was a 1961 graduate of Scecina Memorial High School. Sharon received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marian College, Indianapolis, and a Master's degree in Education from Butler University. She met the love of her life, Paul L. Steinmetz, shortly after he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force. Sharon and Paul were married on December 17, 1966, and had 52 wonderful years together until Paul's death on February 25, 2019.

Sharon was a dedicated elementary school teacher for 33 years, first at St. Andrew Catholic School and then at Indianapolis Public Schools No. 59 and 70, retiring from IPS at age 55. After living several years in Carmel, Sharon and Paul moved to Cicero to their dream home on Morse Reservoir. Together they enjoyed boating on Morse Reservoir; cruising and traveling throughout Europe, often with Paul's brother, John, as their tour guide; and attending Notre Dame football games. For decades Sharon and Paul's lakehouse was the hub of family summer holiday celebrations, with Paul offering plenty of both slow and fast boat rides to the delight of young and old; Sharon cooking delicious meals; and everyone enjoying the opportunity to swim off the pier, go tubing behind the boat, lounge on the porch or the lawn with three generations of family, and watch fireworks explode over the water. A Master Gardener, Sharon loved tending her flower gardens and fulfilled a bucket list wish by attending the Rose Bowl Parade. She loved to dress fashionably, with stuffed closets to show for it. A skilled cook, Sharon enjoyed trying new recipes, which often became family favorites. Sharon's and Paul's lives changed drastically in 2004 when she was broadsided in a car accident and left with a traumatic brain injury. Ever her loving spouse, Paul watched carefully over Sharon for the rest of his life. After that, her siblings, especially Greg and Bev, cared for her and did everything possible to honor her wish to remain in her home, where she lived until her death.

Sharon was the daughter of Sheridan Walker Bowron and Catherine Marie Oechsli Bowron, who preceded her in death. The oldest of eight children, Sharon is survived by her siblings: Patricia Marie Bowron, Gregory (Donna) Bowron, Susan Bowron-White (Gordon White), Beverly Bowron-Staley, Carol Bowron-Payne (Michael Payne), Michael G. (Sara) Bowron, and Judy (Jeffrey) Good. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, John Steinmetz, sister-in-law, Cindy Steinmetz, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Sharon was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, John Staley and Richard Steinmetz, and sister-in-law, Barbara Steinmetz.

Sharon was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Cicero.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel, 740 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis. Following will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 4100 E. 56th Street, Indianapolis. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to IU Health Neuroscience Center or Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, P. O. Box 889, Cicero, Indiana 46034.