Jay Max Sharp

Jay Max Sharp was born on July 28, 1934 to Leslie Dean and Faith Sharp at home in Wabash Township outside of Marshall. He was married to Kay Helen Phillips of Morton for 63 years. She preceded him in death on May 24, 2021. He was also preceded in death by his parents, along with his brother Lee Sharp of Verona, WI.

Surviving are his 5 children, Dawn (Rick) Sharp, Diane Sharp (Dinkheller), Danette (Steve) Wetterauer, Daren Sharp & Dion Sharp. He was blessed with 21 grandchildren, Christopher (Darcie) Sharp, Courtney (Ryan) Aberle, Cole (Brittany) Sharp, Caylee (Jake) Doering, Corey (Rachel) Sharp, Chase Sharp, Cameron (Chelsea) Sharp, Cassandra (Mason) McCoy, Colton Sharp, Caden Sharp, Lauren (Jacob) Hines, Zachary Dinkheller, Lindsay (Brett) Still, Alyssa (Wil) McBurney, Natalie (Pat) Brown, Valerie (Jared) Saddoris, Justin (Gabby) Sharp, Jared Sharp, Kodi Sharp, Kami (Ty) Paluska, Brooke (Nick) Craven; 1 step-grandson, Zachary Irish; 34 current great-grandchildren and counting.

When Jay was 5 years old his family moved to Martinsville, IL. When his father entered into the ministry and served 5 county churches. Then they moved to La Place, Assumption, Virden where he graduated from 8th grade and continued his freshman year. He graduated from Roseville High School in 1952, where he played quarterback in football and was also in basketball and track. He worked at an early age delivering papers (Chicago Daily News), and the summers on his grandfather’s farm in Marshall. Later while in high school he worked for a funeral home in Roseville. When Dean and Faith moved to Madison Avenue Methodist Church in Peoria, Jay went to Milliken University in Decatur for 1 semester, then transferred to Bradley University in 1953 where he graduated in 1957. He belonged to Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity and ROTC. He entered the United States Air Force in 1957 and married Kay Phillips on July 3, 1957 in San Antonio at Lackland AFB. 2nd Lieutenant in Harlingen AFB, in Texas where he was a navigator and flew in 2 seat F89’s and F101 jets. Summer of 1958 he was moved to Waco, Texas for Radar Observe School at the James Connally AFB and rank of 1st Lieutenant. Then in 1959, we moved to Bunker Hill AFB, was in the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron where he reach the rank of Captain. We lived in Peru, Indiana. After completing his service, he entered back to civilian life and rejoined Retzer, Gerber & Associates, CPA firm which he worked for during college years in Peoria. He retired in 2014.

He belonged to East Peoria Noon Optimist Club for 36 years, Treasurer for Northern Tazewell Water Department, Member of the First United Methodist Church where he served as treasurer, head usher, and taught high school and adult classes for many years, served on District 50 School Board & NTRA Board. He was a loving husband and father, supportive of all his children and grandchildren in all their endeavors.

Jay’s celebration of life service will be at 4:30 pm on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at First United Methodist Church of East Peoria. Rev. Krista Price will officiate. There will be no visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. A private inurnment will take place at Parkview Cemetery in Peoria with full military honors.

Memorials can be made to Theresa Tracy Strive to Survive for Pancreatic Cancer, Breast Cancer Foundation, or First United Methodist Church of E. Peoria.

Online condolences may be left for Jay’s family at www.davison-fulton.com.