Virginia M. Sharp

Virginia (Bontrager) Sharp, age 99, of Goshen, passed away on March 28, 2021 at Greencroft Healthcare.

Virginia was born January 16, 1922 to Erie and Dorothea (Liechty) Bontrager in Ashley, Michigan.  After graduation from Eastern Mennonite High School in Harrisonburg, Virginia, she acquired a teaching certificate, and taught in a rural Michigan one-room schoolhouse for seven years.  She continued her teaching career, obtaining her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Central Michigan University and teaching at Vestaburg Community Schools for 23 years.

On May 28, 1949, Virginia married Clark E. Sharp in Brutus, Michigan. They lived on a farm in rural Vestaburg.  After retirement, Clark and Virginia spent many enjoyable winters near Arcadia, Florida.  Throughout the years, faith was an important part of Virginia’s life, and she was an active member in several churches, including Zion Mennonite Church in Vestaburg, Michigan, Bethel Mennonite Church in Ashley, Michigan, and College Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana.

Always energetic, Virginia loved making connections with friends and family.  No event was too minor to be recorded with a photograph, and her extensive collection showed multiple generations of people enjoying food, games and fellowship.

Virginia is survived by one brother, David (Bertha) Bontrager of Sturgis, Michigan; two sisters, Mary (Don) Oesch of Stryker, Ohio, and Fern (Nelson) Miller of Newcomerstown, Ohio, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sisters, Eleanore Bontrager, and Eunice Carlson.

Honoring Virginia’s request, there will be no funeral service.  She will be buried in Richland Township Cemetery, Montcalm County, Michigan.  Family will gather sometime this summer to share remembrances of her and honor the positive impact she had on all.

Memorial gifts may be given to Mennonite Central Committee or to an organization of the donor’s choice.