Mrs. Sharon Gundel

January 22, 1943 – September 28, 2026

Sharon Susan (Connole) Gundel, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away at the age of 83 after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

Born on January 22, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, Sharon was the firstborn child of Lucille M. Connole and James E. Connole. She graduated from Schurz High School in 1961, where she was voted "Most Athletic" and earned an athletic scholarship to attend Wright Junior College. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Sharon enjoyed playing volleyball and softball and remained a devoted Chicago Cubs & Bears fan throughout her life.

While in high school, Sharon met the love of her life, James Gundel. They dated five years before marrying on February 12, 1966, beginning a partnership that would span more than 60 years. Together they embarked on a twenty-year adventure with the United States Air Force, building a life grounded in love, commitment, and family. After military life, they settled in Beavercreek, Ohio, where Sharon formed lifelong friendships and created a warm and welcoming home.

Known affectionately as “Sharona” and sometimes “Gladys” by those closest to her, Sharon was loyal, hardworking, intelligent, and famously a night owl. Family was her greatest joy. An excellent cook and gracious host, she loved bringing people together around a table filled with food, laughter, and conversation. She supported her children, grandchildren, and great-grandson in countless ways, whether sitting in the stands, traveling to games, or later watching live streams from home.

Sharon enjoyed crafting and later developed a passion for photography. Family members often teased her about always being on her phone, but she was simply capturing the people and moments she loved most. She also loved traveling, shopping, hunting for bargains, and maintaining her famous "gift closet," always ready with the perfect present for any occasion. She especially treasured time spent with her brothers and sisters in Chicago and never passed up the chance to attend a party or family gathering.

Sharon had a gift for making people feel valued. She treated everyone with kindness and respect and truly never met a stranger. She had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed, and important. As her husband Jim reflected, "She made everyone she met a better person simply by the way she treated them."

Parkinson's disease brought many difficult challenges during Sharon’s final years. Although her body increasingly failed her, her sharp mind, sense of humor, love of trivia and her desire to be with friends and family remained. Parkinson's limited her mobility, but it could not take her kindness, intelligence, or love for those around her.

Sharon is survived by her devoted husband, James T. Gundel; her children, Jeff Gundel (Tracy), Jill Meador (Jeff), and James Gundel (Denise); her grandchildren, Nathan, Jackson, Jacob, Jenna, William, Addison, and Jamie; her great-grandson, Omar; her siblings, Terry (Vicki) Connole, Marc Connole, James Connole (Steven Peck), LuAnn Kucklick, and Carol (Greg) Guertler; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Nicholas.

Her family finds comfort imagining Sharon reunited with Nicholas, surrounded by loved ones, catching up with everyone at what would undoubtedly be one of her favorite parties. And if she could offer one final piece of advice to those gathered in her honor, it would likely be: "Enjoy the food and drinks... and don't forget to get together for a picture!"

Perhaps no tribute captures her legacy better than the words of her husband: "I give Sharon 100% of the credit for making our family as strong and as loving as it is."

The family hopes all who gather to celebrate Sharon's life leave feeling exactly as they do: better for having known her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in Sharon's honor.

A Celebration of Life for Sharon will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at The Main House, 104 W. Main St. Fairborn OH, 45324. We will receive friends and family beginning at 3:00 p.m. with a service to honor her at 3:30 p.m.

A reception with food and refreshments will immediately follow. Family and friends are invited to join in honoring Sharon's life and legacy while sharing memories of the kindness, love, and joy she brought to so many.