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BLOOMINGTON - Sharon Rea Chestney, 65, Bloomington, died at 6:45 p.m. Friday (Jan. 4, 2008) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Kibler-Smith Memorial Home, Bloomington. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ron Thacker officiating. Interment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454 Alexandria, VA 22312 in her memory.
Sharon was born Aug. 24, 1942, in Normal, a daughter of Raymond B. Bennett and Stella Reiner Bennett. She was a lifelong resident of Bloomington and a proud graduate of Bloomington High School, Class of 1960, "Go you Raiders!". She was a barber for 10 years and had worked at Lee's Barber Shop in Bloomington.
Sharon was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Bloomington and had worked in the office there and served on the church board.
She loved life and her family, especially her grandchildren. "Grammee," as she was known to her grandchildren, was very doting and nothing would bring a smile to her face quicker than they could. Sharon also loved to read and was an avid Bears fan. On Nov. 26, 1960, Sharon married Denny Chestney in Bloomington, he survives.
In addition to her husband, Denny, Sharon is survived by two children, a son, Steven Bennett (Lisa) Chestney, Bloomington, and a daughter, Stacy (Wayne) Barton, Pueblo, Colo.; a sister, Sandra (Frank) Maesky, Columbus, Ohio; four grandchildren, Shane Bennett Chestney, Spencer Callahan Chestney, Denny Ray Barton and David Lee Barton.
Sharon is further survived by many nieces, nephews and other relatives. She is also survived by her good friend, Eleanor. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents.
Sharon was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her. "Our world will not be the same without her."