Sharon Gene Fortener, 81, passed away Saturday, October 12, 2024, peacefully at her home in Delphos, Ohio. She was born May 24th, 1943 to the late Gene and Dorothy Buettner. She married Jim Fortener on November 28th and they celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage. Her loving husband Jim survives in their home in Delphos. Sharon is also survived by her 2 sons, Michael (Mandy) of Avon, Indiana, and Steven “Stu” (Jennifer) of South Bend, Indiana, and 3 grandchildren, Justin, Luke and Kyle. She is also survived by her sisters, Barb (Tom) Case of Coldwater, Michigan, and Jackie Buettner of Orinda, California; and brother, Jim (Mary) Buettner of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her sister, Charlyn Grainger who passed away earlier this year. Sharon graduated from Delphos Jefferson High School and continued her education at the Cosmetology School of Columbus. After graduating, she ran a beauty shop with her mother. When the boys started school, she went to work as the secretary at Delphos St. John’s grade school. Jim and Sharon moved to Tennessee where she worked as the apartment manager at Cardinal Homes. Upon moving back to Delphos, she began to utilize her passion for knitting. She created adorable baby hats for newborns which she donated to local hospitals. Her love for books led her to become an editor and proofreader for young authors. She was also active in Wounded Warriors by donating her time and talents to various projects. Sharon also helped her husband with food and service projects in the Delphos community. Sharon always had a way of finding good in each and every person she knew. Her love of God and her faith in the Lord was strong. She was always patient, kind, and loving, and was the bedrock of the family. The outpouring of love she gave was endless. Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 16th at Weber Funeral Home, 1840 E. Fifth Street, Delphos where a parish wake will begin at 7:45 p.m. The funeral mass will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday, October 17 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Delphos with burial in St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Sharon wished donations to be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at

woundedwarriorproject.org. Online condolences may be shared at weberfh.net.