Robert "Ed" Sharp

Robert Edward Sharp (aka Ed, Eddie or Bob), went home to our Lord early on June 2nd, 2026 peacefully in his home. Ed was born January 14, 1936 at the home of his parents in the village of Sugar Grove, who later moved when he was a toddler to the Sharp family homestead farm directly southwest of the village. He attended all 12 years in the Berne Union School system, and graduated from there in 1954. While in High School, in addition to helping his father and grandmother with farm work, he played on Berne Union’s first football team and then at half-time, participated with the band, playing his clarinet.

He went on to attend Capital University in Bexley, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Geology, and was in the Air Force ROTC. Following graduation, he married his loving wife of 61 years, Ruth Heigle, a Berne Union Elementary teacher and Hocking County resident. Soon thereafter he started flight school in the Air Force, and served for nearly 10 years, leaving with the rank of Captain. Afterwards, the couple and their growing family lived in a number of states, including Texas, Florida, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, as well as at Central Ohio’s former Lockbourne Air Force Base (now Rickenbacker National Guard base)

Ed was a lifelong member of St Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Sugar Grove, as well as attending Trinity Methodist Church in Logan, Canal Winchester Methodist Church, and Maple St United Methodist Church, in support of his “Ruthie’s” religious background.

During the 3 years following his honorable discharge, Ed and family lived in Lancaster, where he worked at Lancaster Electroplating while attending OU Lancaster taking the coursework necessary for his 2nd career of being a 6th Grade teacher in the Lancaster City School system. The majority of his nearly 20 years of teaching were at North School, with the middle years at Stanbery Middle School.

Ed was a member of Hocking Grange #2029, The Farm Bureau, American Legion, and was a passionate patriot in his love for his God, Country and Family (Several billboards over the years at the US 33 bypass-Tarklin Rd interchange were an expression of that love for God and Country), While the Sugar Grove – Main St Holiday (yes Christmas) lights were donated several years ago as a tribute to his loving wife Ruth.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Heigle) Sharp, parents Frank and Cora (Jackson) Sharp, step mother Mary (Weidner) Sharp, sister and brother-in-law Rosemary Jean Harley and Thomas Harley, sisters-in-law Pauline (Heigle) Wyskiver, Helen (Heigle) Ritgers, nephews Robert and Brian Harley, nieces Jane (Wyskiver) McClain, Sue (Wyskiver) Yount, and a number aunts, uncles and cousins, and house cat Miss Kitty.

He is survived by son & daughter-in-law Richard and Debbie (Beougher) Sharp, daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Dave Ward; grandchildren Adam Sharp, Abby (Andy) Fox, Mary (Jared) Rich, and Aaron Ward; great grand-children Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee and Craig Rich; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 9th 6:00-8:00 pm and June 10th 10:00-11:00 am at Frank E Smith Funeral Home, Lancaster OH, with service immediately following at 11:00 am. Internment at Sharp Cemetery Sugar Grove OH.

Memorials can be made to St Matthew Lutheran Church, Maple Street United Methodist Church, Hocking Grange or Disabled American Veterans.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.