Sharron L. Vanek's Obituary
Sharron Lea Vanek (nee Hales) age 83, met the Lord, her Savior, face-to-face on Friday, May 15, 2026 at Ames Family Hospice in her husband’s arms. She was born August 10, 1942 in Elyria to Lawrence and Bessie (nee Weir) Hales. She was a lifetime resident of Elyria, OH.
Sharron was a 1960 graduate of Elyria High School, attended Grand Rapids Baptist Institute and attended night school to become a licensed practical nurse. In 1963 she married Roger Vanek at First Baptist Church of Elyria. She began working in the labor and delivery department at Elyria Memorial Hospital. She and Roger fostered two little boys and then she gave birth to their two sons. After they started school, she went back to working part-time night shift on the Med-Surg floor for over 30 years.
Sharron attended First Baptist Church of Elyria her entire life, but recognized her own personal need for a Savior as a child. She accepted the Lord as her Savior at age 10 in Sunday school. She served faithfully in the church, teaching Sunday school, leading the Women’s Missionary Fellowship, singing in the choir, visiting senior adults, and leading a group of ladies who took meals to inner-city Cleveland. She also volunteered as a school nurse at First Baptist Christian School and provided nursing care as a volunteer at Faith Wellness and Pregnancy Center. Sharron faithfully worked as a poll-worker during any elections.
Her greatest joy in life was being a wife and devoted mother to their sons. She was famous for her amazing pies and Yorkshire puddings that she kept going as a part of her English heritage. The icing on the cake was getting to be Grandma to her grandchildren, Emily and Ben with whom she enjoyed spending time and going on adventures.
Sharron was known for being a friend to everyone. She welcomed new people at church, encouraged many, and even well into her final illness, still made calls to check in with her friends. She was the consummate social butterfly, and her family joked that she knew everyone in Lorain County.
Sharron is survived by her husband of 62 years, Roger Vanek, sons, Stephen Vanek of Harbor Springs, MI and Michael (Sherri) Vanek of Elyria, longtime family friend, Scot Smith; grandchildren Emily (Sam) and Ben Vanek of Elyria; sister, Shirley (Herbert) Lantz of Elyria; in-laws; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Bessie Hales; older sisters, Sandra (nee Hales) Isaacson and Nancy Hales.
Friends will be received Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 10:00 am until the time of a 1:00 pm service at First Baptist Church of Elyria, 11400 LaGrange Road, Elyria with Pastor David Burman, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church or Faith Baptist Community Church and Center, 2355 E. 55th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44104.
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