Sharon Lee Leiter, 74 , died at 8:48 p.m. Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, after a brief fight with complications from covid. With Jill holding her hand, she was surrounded in love by her family on Zoom as she passed to her heavenly reward.

Born on August 2, 1947, in Princeton, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Charles P. and Mary Edna (Lee) Bates. Growing up in Princeton, she graduated from Princeton High School in 1965. With aspirations to make the world a better place, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Anderson University and continued with her Master's of Education from Purdue University.

John Charles Leiter's best friend, Tim O'Rourke, married Sharon's cousin, Trisha. Feeling John would be a good fit for Sharon, Trisha gave John her address before she was planning a visit. In 1969, he sent a postcard of the Purdue big drum sharing, "I am planning to drum up an exciting weekend for you." Quickly falling in love after meeting, they married on March 28, 1970. They made their first home in Lafayette while Sharon taught in Dayton, Indiana, alongside her best friend, Trisha. Always seeking to bring others to Jesus, Sharon was active in their local church while in Lafayette even volunteering to take three youth group members with her to the International Church of God conference in Boston.

After moving to Columbia City, she taught at Mary Raber Elementary for a couple of years before moving to the high school in various roles before finally serving as the administrative assistant to the Columbia City High School Principal until her retirement in 2010.

Sharon was the definition of a faithful servant and woman of God. Strong in her faith, she was a worship leader at Big Lake Church of God, playing the piano and singing in the choir. A member of the Women of the Church of God, she was a representative for the Church of God World Services, making presentations to congregations throughout NE Indiana. Her prominence in the church led her to be the first woman elected to the Indiana Christian Education Board.

Loving children her whole life, she thought after marrying, they would have "little Leiters," but year after year, no babies. On their 8th wedding anniversary, the doctor told them a little Leiter was on the way. John notes that he didn't want others to feel too bad for them because they sure had a fun time trying those 8 years. Charles John was born on October 12, 1978, by c-section. The doctors reassured her how cute and very alert as a newborn he was, but he was soon rushed to another hospital without her ever holding her little CJ where he passed that evening. With the doctors sharing they would not have other children, God had different plans. Believing in God's divine work through prayer, John and Sharon prayed for children alongside family and the Big Lake Church of God. Within a month, she was pregnant with a healthy baby girl, Jill. The doctor was certain Jill would be their only child. But they knew a boy was in God's plans.  Thankfully, the lord blessed her again with a healthy son, David.

Her greatest joy were her grandchildren, Jacob "Bucky", Sophie Girl, Ava, and Jack Jack. They will miss her handwritten cards, sweet hugs, and thoughtful compliments. She bragged to everyone about everything they did pointing out their qualities of compassion, kindness, and helpfulness.

An avid reader, she read a wide variety of books on many subjects but gravitated to spiritual books and novels. With her training as an educator, she read many children's books. If she wasn't reading a book, she was watching a Hallmark movie. She loved a good story.

John said it best as we say our goodbyes on Earth: "I was a better person knowing her."

Surviving is her husband of 51 years, John; a daughter, Jill M. Kramer of New Castle and a son, David C. (Stefanie) Leiter of Anderson; grandchildren Jacob M. Kramer, Sophia M. Kramer, Ava K. Leiter, and Jackson C. Leiter; and a brother C. Frank (Debbie) Bates of Louisville; as well as many extended family members.

She was preceded in death by an infant son Charles John Leiter.

The funeral service is 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Interment is at the South Whitley Cemetery. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials honoring Sharon are to be made to Big Lake Church of God in lieu of flowers.