In loving memory of
Sharon Baughman
1937 - 2023
TEMPERANCE, MI – Sharon J. Baughman, 85, of Temperance, MI, formerly of Defiance, OH, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Vibrant Life, Temperance, MI. She was born July 18, 1937, in Anniston, AL, the daughter of Joseph and Helen Zerby. On August 14, 1971, she married Carl Baughman, who survives.
Sharon was an elementary school teacher for 25 years in both Defiance and several schools in Indiana. She spent most of her teaching career at Slocum Elementary School in Defiance. She was also a longtime tutor, Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, and a foster parent for 10 years.
She graduated from Churubusco High School in Churubusco, IN, earned a reading certificate from Anderson College in Anderson, IN, earned her bachelor’s degree from Fort Wayne Bible College in Fort Wayne, IN, and she earned her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. Sharon attended Faith Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, and Defiance Church of the Brethren in Defiance, OH, Webster Memorial Baptist Church in Lakeland, FL, and Northwest Christian Church in Temperance, MI. Sharon spent many years devoting her time and talents to helping adults with developmental disabilities.
She was a long-time volunteer for Joni and Friends Camps and went to Russia as part of a teacher-exchange program; and again, with Wheels for the World to deliver wheelchairs. She started the Friendship Club in Defiance, which was a social and educational group for adults with developmental disabilities. Later, in Florida, she and her husband, Carl, started a group home, Shepherd’s Haven, and cared fulltime for adult women with developmental disabilities for five years.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Carl, Temperance, MI; son, Tracy (Heather) Baughman, Temperance, MI; stepdaughter, Cindy (Glenn) Rice-Fisher, Andrews, IN; stepson, Steven (Claudia) Baughman, Lakeland, FL, and grandchildren, Monica (Tim) Rice-Frye, McPherson, KS and Zachary and Sarah Baughman, Temperance, MI.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Richard Zerby.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 1-2 p.m. with services at 2 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church, 14102 OH-111, Defiance, OH 43512, with Pastor Mick Sobieck officiating. Graveside services will follow at Poplar Ridge Cemetery, Defiance. Flowers may be delivered to the church on Wednesday between 9-11 a.m. Preferred memorials are to Faith Baptist Church or Northwest Christian Church. Donation envelopes will be available at the church. For additional information and to view Sharon’s online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.
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Sharon was an elementary school teacher for 25 years in both Defiance and several schools in Indiana. She spent most of her teaching career at Slocum Elementary School in Defiance. She was also a longtime tutor, Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, and a foster parent for 10 years.
She graduated from Churubusco High School in Churubusco, IN, earned a reading certificate from Anderson College in Anderson, IN, earned her bachelor’s degree from Fort Wayne Bible College in Fort Wayne, IN, and she earned her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. Sharon attended Faith Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, and Defiance Church of the Brethren in Defiance, OH, Webster Memorial Baptist Church in Lakeland, FL, and Northwest Christian Church in Temperance, MI. Sharon spent many years devoting her time and talents to helping adults with developmental disabilities.
She was a long-time volunteer for Joni and Friends Camps and went to Russia as part of a teacher-exchange program; and again, with Wheels for the World to deliver wheelchairs. She started the Friendship Club in Defiance, which was a social and educational group for adults with developmental disabilities. Later, in Florida, she and her husband, Carl, started a group home, Shepherd’s Haven, and cared fulltime for adult women with developmental disabilities for five years.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Carl, Temperance, MI; son, Tracy (Heather) Baughman, Temperance, MI; stepdaughter, Cindy (Glenn) Rice-Fisher, Andrews, IN; stepson, Steven (Claudia) Baughman, Lakeland, FL, and grandchildren, Monica (Tim) Rice-Frye, McPherson, KS and Zachary and Sarah Baughman, Temperance, MI.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Richard Zerby.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 1-2 p.m. with services at 2 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church, 14102 OH-111, Defiance, OH 43512, with Pastor Mick Sobieck officiating. Graveside services will follow at Poplar Ridge Cemetery, Defiance. Flowers may be delivered to the church on Wednesday between 9-11 a.m. Preferred memorials are to Faith Baptist Church or Northwest Christian Church. Donation envelopes will be available at the church. For additional information and to view Sharon’s online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.
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Visitation 
- Wed, April 19, 2023
- 01:00 to 02:00 PM
- Faith Baptist Church
- 14102 OH-111
- Defiance, OH 43512
- Telephone: (419) 393-2600
Service
- Wed, April 19, 2023
- 02:00 PM
- Faith Baptist Church
- 14102 OH-111
- Defiance, OH 43512
- Telephone: (419) 393-2600
Additional Details
- If you need immediate assistance or have any question regarding the details of this funeral, please call 1.800.308.3590.
For additional information about ChurchFunerals Direct Network, please email your request to info@churchfuneralsdirect.com.
