Sharon Elizabeth (Stoner) Fleming

Sharon Elizabeth (Stoner) Fleming

Strong Will and Spirit -

Sharon Elizabeth (Stoner) Fleming, age 64, of Carlisle, found relief from the years of physical struggles that she faced daily when she was reunited with her parents in heaven on Sunday, September 29, 2019.  Sharon was born on Tuesday, April 5, 1955 in Carlisle to the late Vincent “Bud” Kenneth Stoner and Winnie Fae (Hoppis) Stoner.

Sharon’s survivors include her loving husband of 45 years, Mark Wayne Fleming; her two daughters: Jamie Lanier and her husband, Zac, and their children Brennan and Kieran all of Mechanicsburg; Jennifer Kimmel and her husband, Joshua, and their children Wyatt and Peyton all of Dillsburg; her sister, Katherine (Stoner) Kilmer and her husband, Dale, of DuBois; her brother, Daniel Stoner and his wife, Kara, of Carlisle; and many nieces and nephews.

A native of Carlisle, Sharon grew up on her family’s farm and graduated from Cumberland Valley High School in 1973.  She met the love of life, Mark Fleming, at age 18 and was married a short time after on June 22, 1973.  They moved into a small hunting camp in 1976 of which Mark and Sharon would spend the next 43 years renovating, adding onto and decorating.  Mark and Sharon were like two peas in a pod.  Sharon struggled with health issues from the age of 24 which impeded her ability to be mobile.  Sharon was the creative mind and Mark was her hands.  It was a match made in heaven.

Sharon had two daughters that she raised with great pride.  She emphasized strength, honesty, kindness and to never ever give up.  Always move forward. She led by example.  When her girls were having a rough day Sharon was known for saying, “Go ahead and have your pity party for 5 minutes.  But then you put your big girl pants on and move forward.”  She was always at the end of the phone or a short drive away and always did everything she could to empower her daughters to be strong, kind, caring women.  Sharon’s grandchildren were her heart and joy.  There is no denying, that her grandchildren were the people she loved the most.  Time spent at Mamaw’s house was very special for her Grandchildren.  They kept her moving and were a large contributor to keeping her heart and soul healthy.  They loved cooking with her, quilting with her and cuddling with her.

Sharon had a passion for quilting at which she only seemed to excel in over the years.  If you received a quilt from her it was a special one.  Her sewing room is jam packed with fabric organized by color, glass jars of old buttons, ribbons, and zippers.  It is a treasure trove of who she was.  Sharon had an artist’s eye for decorating, color and design.  This is clearly reflected in the home that she was always so proud to show off.  If she wasn’t quilting she was crafting, creating or coming up with something new for her husband Mark to build for her.  Sharon was a kind, thoughtful, caring soul.  She was always forthright and you always knew where you stood with her.  She would have a conversation with a perfect stranger and by the end you would think they were best friends.  She made friends everywhere she went.  She was in pain for the better part of her life but you wouldn’t have known it by just having a conversation with her.  She never complained.  She never asked for pity.  She loved and was loved ferociously.

All are invited to remember Sharon on Friday, October 11, 2019, at an open house where there will  be food and fellowship beginning at 2:00 p.m. and a time of remembrance beginning at 4:00 p.m., all at Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Pastor Rachel Wong officiating.  Cremation was private.

Contributions in celebration of Sharon’s life can be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA, 30309, www.Arthritis.org/Donate or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.StJude.org/Donate.

Sharon’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Sharon’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.