Sharon Rose Zirkle

Sharon Rose Zirkle peacefully passed away at 12:42 a.m. on February 19, 2026, in Kokomo, Indiana, just shy of her 85th birthday. She was surrounded by the love of her family and her devoted husband of 44 years, Gary L. Zirkle.

Sharon was born on March 30, 1941, in South Bend, Indiana, to Paul Reichard and Viola (Cowen) Reichard.

Sharon dedicated 32 years of service to Delco Electronics in Kokomo, where she met the love of her life, Gary. During the 1970s, she proudly led her daughters Cheryl and Pam’s Girl Scout troop, creating lasting memories and friendships.

After retirement, Sharon and Gary cherished their winters together at their home in Bonita Springs, Florida. Sharon had a vibrant spirit and many passions — bowling, camping, gardening, ski club, pickling, bird watching, collecting Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, hanging laundry outside on the line, shopping on QVC, participating in coupon contests, and most importantly, spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Sharon was deeply family-oriented, loyal, hilarious, generous, and loving. She had the sweetest smile in any room she entered and brought warmth and joy to all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents Paul and Viola (Cowen) Reichard, her sister Paula (Reichard) Rader, and her son Mark Zirkle.

She is survived by her loving husband, Gary Zirkle; her children, Cheryl Zimmerman, Pamela Cavanaugh, and Todd Zirkle; daugher-in-law, Beth Zirkle; her ten grandchildren, Collin Smith, Sierra (Smith) Gibson, Faith Cavanaugh, Olivia (Cavanaugh) Holmes, Brittany (Zirkle) Dillon, Brooklyn (Zirkle) Dugdale, Brady Zirkle, Tim Zirkle, Benji Zirkle, and Nikki (Zirkle) Ross; and her eighteen great-grandchildren, Elliette, Laken, Cal (Kyle and Brittany Dillon) Koralyn, Kohen (Kyle and Brooklyn Dugdale), Lilly, Jake, Maggie (Benji and Patty), Jeffery, Jordan (Nikki and Peyton Ross), Kailyn, Layla, Juanyel Jr (Juanyel Sr and Olivia Holmes), Luna (Faith Cavanaugh), Cohen, Norah (Sierra Gibson), Palmer and Dailynn (Tim and Jenny Zirkle).

Services will be held on February 24 at 12:30 p.m. at Ellers Mortuary in an intimate family setting. Burial will follow in Swayzee, Indiana, at the Zirkle family mausoleum.