Sharon A. Starnes, 87, of Rockford, IL, formerly of North Dakota, passed away peacefully, Monday, July 20, 2026 surrounded by love. She was born March 8, 1939 in Fargo, North Dakota, the daughter of Charles and Clairbell (Dahl) Cardey. Sharon married Dewey C. "Gus" Starnes on March 11, 1956. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Sharon was the glue of our family, who kept everyone together. She had a very strong faith and was a devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rockford where she participated in the Bell Choir. Sharon enjoyed doing ceramics. She took pride in making her family's holidays magical. Sharon will be remembered for being a loving, kind-hearted, forgiving lady with a smile that would melt your heart.
Sharon is loved and missed by her children, Danny Starnes, Matthew Starnes, Mark Starnes and Linda (David) Johnson; 8 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Carol Peterson; sister-in-law, Dawn Cardey; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dewey "Gus" Starnes, daughter-in-law, Georgetta Starnes; brothers, Ronald Cardey, Bruce Cardey, Charles Cardey, and sister Linda Schock.
A special thank you to Northern Illinois Hospice for their loving and compassionate care of Sharon, especially her nurse, Sarah and her Cna, Lisa.
Flowers may be sent to Advantage Funeral Home, 7000 W. State St, Rockford, IL 61102.
A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Monday, July 27, 2026 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4881 Kilburn Ave, Rockford, IL 61101, with a funeral service to begin at 11:00 a.m. Entombment in Willwood Burial Park.
