Sharon R. Gingrich 1946-2025

Born June 2, 1946, in Petersburg, W.Va., Sharon was the daughter of the late Melvin and Audrey Mallow Van Meter. She moved to the area as a young girl and attended Struthers High School.

Sharon was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. She began her career as a school bus driver for Struthers Local Schools in the early 1980s and later transitioned to private duty health care, dedicating over 20 years to caring for others before retiring in 2005.

A woman of deep faith, Sharon was a member of Christian Assembly Church on South Avenue and also attended Believers Church on Western Reserve Road, both in Boardman.

She loved spending time with her family — especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren — and found great joy in cooking, baking and decorating her home for every holiday. She also had a natural talent for gardening and nurturing flowers.

Sharon is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Richard “Rich” E. Gingrich Sr., whom she married Aug. 5, 1966; her two children, Sandra “Sandy” S. (Ken) Krainock of Campbell and Richard “Rick” Earl (Darla) Gingrich Jr. of New Middletown; three grandchildren, Jessica (Alex) Grist and Brandon (Delaney) Shuler, both of Boardman, and Hannah (Tanner) Sargent of Glendale, Arizona; seven great-grandchildren; her sister, Sharole (Ken) Kotsopoulos of Oberlin; and a brother-in-law, Larry Elliott of Elyria.

In addition to her parents, Sharon was preceded in death by her brother, Sheldon Van Meter, and two sisters, Susie Elliott and Sheila Van Meter.

Family and friends may call 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland.

A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., officiated by Pastor Joe Cameneti.

Visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences with Sharon’s family.

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