Sharon V. Phelps' Obituary
Sharon Barrell Phelps of Mystic, IA departed for her heavenly reward on October 23, 2025.
Sharon was born January 4, 1947 to Robert and Velta Barrell of Seymour, IA. She attended Seymour school and was raised with many siblings in a loving home.
Sharon married the love of her life Don Terry Phelps on September 12, 1967 in Centerville, IA and together raised two sons, Paul Eugene Phelps, and Michael Dewayne Phelps. Along with two of their grandchildren Sammi Linda Phelps Ruckman, and Michael Anthony Phelps.
Sharon worked at Southern Iowa Laundry and McGraw Edison in her younger years; she then went on to further her education and become a CNA along with working with Hospice patients. She retired from Saint Joseph Hospital in Centerville, IA after working there for 25 years.
A massive bargain shopper, she always found the best deals and sales. When her grandchildren were little, you could barely see them once she finished stacking their Christmas gifts around them. It was a humorous and heartfelt sight. She loved flea markets, and yard sales, but truly loved to visit with others. Family and friends, in person or on the phone, she enjoyed the company and everyone enjoyed hers. Sharon and Don would host a Christmas eve dinner with many family members, everyone enjoying one another over a bowl of Don's delicious stew and Sharon spoiling everyone. They were the couple everyone wished to be like when it came to the love they shared. That love was a family foundation and they spread it to all. Sharon was a huge Trump supported and stated “He was her Trumpy” and she loved to listen and jam out with family to Jelly Roll.
Another great love of Sharons was her dog, Susie. She was Sharons world and was very loved and spoiled. Where Sharon was you would always find Susie begging for a treat along with Sharon telling you that you better give her mini bones.
When Sharon's health started to fail and her kidneys had given out, she was blessed with a kidney transplant donated by her son Paul Phelps. He never hesitated when he found out he was a match; he saved her life and kept her around for all of us to enjoy for the past 12 years.
Left to cherish Sharon's memory is her son, Mike (Stephanie) Phelps of State Center, IA; daughter-in-law, Pamela Phelps of Centerville; grandchildren, Sammi (Ricky) Ruckman of Centerville, Michael (Ashtyn) Phelps of Mystic, Amanda (Matt) Kury of Moulton, Kiera(Elias) Phelps of Centerville, Jake Surber of Centerville, DaVeena Surber of Newton, Salenea Phelps of Ferguson, and Joel Phelps of Ankney IA; great-grandchildren, Evan, Jase, Jaxson, Landon, Logan, Zerek, Sophia, Nevaeh, Vinny, Vanessa, Zoey, Alaina, Emma, Aubree, Chase, Raife; sisters, Shirley Tomlinson of Des Moines, IA and Carma (Bill) Morrow of Centerville, IA; sister-in-law, Dorothy Barrell of Centerville IA and Ellen Phelps of Centerville, IA ; brothers, Donnie (Marilyn) Barrell of Ackworth, IA and Rodger (Janie) Barrell of Centerville IA along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Velta Barrell, her loving husband Don Phelps; son, Paul Phelps; granddaughter, Brittany Zemo; great-granddaughter, Arianna Surber; sister, Darlene Miller; brothers, Perry (Lou) Barrell, Gary Barrell, Butch Phelps; brother in-law, Bob Tomlinson.
Funeral Services for Sharon will be held Sunday, October 26, 2025 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville, IA at 1:00 PM. Visitation will be held 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM prior to the service. Burial will take place at Elgin Cemetery at a later date. Memorials in honor of Sharon may be made to Micheal Phelps, to be determined at a later date and mailed to Thomas Funeral Home Attn: Phelps Family 501 N. 18th St. Centerville, IA 52544. Condolences may be shared online at https://www.thomasfh.com or https://www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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