A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Sharon Tenbarge, D.C., was celebrated Dec. 1, 2014, at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Evansville, Ind. Burial followed at St. Joseph Cemetery in Evansville.
Sister Sharon died Nov. 27, 2014. She was 77 years of age.
Born Aug. 23, 1937, Sister Sharon was one of nine children born to Vincent and Veronica R. (Schmitt) Tenbarge of Evansville. After graduation from Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville in 1955, Sister entered the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul Jan. 25, 1956. In January of 2014, Sister Sharon celebrated 58 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity.
During initial formation, Sister Sharon attended Marillac College in St. Louis, Mo., and graduated in August 1959. She then served at St. Ann’s Elementary School in Dallas, Texas, from 1959 to 1961. After living at St. John’s House of Studies in Jamaica, N.Y. (1961-1964), she received her Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from St. John’s University in New York in June 1964. From there, Sister Sharon served at St. Vincent Hospital in Birmingham, Ala. (1964-1965), and St. Joseph Hospital in St. Joseph, Mo. (1965-1971). She then volunteered for the Mission Ad Gentes and served in the Japan Province from August 1971 to March 2009. Soon after, Sister Sharon returned to the United States and was missioned to St. Vincent Residence in Evansville from July 2009 until the time of her death.
Sister Sharon was preceded in death by her parents Vincent and Veronica Tenbarge; and two of her sisters, Alleen Tenbarge and Doris Weinzapfel. She is survived by her brothers Allen (LaVerne) Tenbarge of Evansville, Richard (Emogene) Tenbarge of Evansville, and Gene (Marty) Tenbarge of Bonita Springs, Fla.; her sisters Susan Wargel of Mount Vernon, Ind., Lilian Wildeman of Mount Vernon, and Marjorie (Walt) Helgesen of Granbury, Texas; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; her Sisters in Community; and many friends.