Sharon K. Bridgewater, age 73, of Monmouth, Illinois passed away at 6:57 pm on Monday June 16, 2025 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, Illinois. Sharon was born on August 21, 1951 in Lubbock, Texas and is the daughter of Richard and Bobby McKinnon Shanks. She was raised in Lubbock where she attended local schools and Lubbock High School. Later she attended the Spoon River School of Nursing and Carl Sandburg College locally. On July 18, 1986 she married Richard B Bridgewater in Galesburg, Illinois and he is surviving her. Sharon first worked at St. Mary’s Square in Galesburg, Illinois and later was employed at Dungarvin of Galesburg. After this, she was employed at Warren Achievement in Monmouth, Illinois. Sharon loved to garden, do crafts, and go swimming at the Y. She loved to wrap presents for her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Bridgewater of Monmouth, and eight children, Laura Harvey of Galesburg, Illinois, Shawn Rohn and Dawn of Missouri, Julie Turner and Darren of Tucson, Arizona, Jesse Rohn and Bobby Rohn both of Monmouth, Illinois, Kasi Peel and Matthew of Galesburg, Illinois, Heather Hooks and Lamont of Galesburg, Illinois, and Kevin Bridgewater and Tami of Abingdon, Illinois. There are twenty-six grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren who survive her. She is preceded in her death by her mother and step father, Norman, sister Betty and brother Steve.
A funeral service and burial is planned at 2:00 pm on Friday June 20 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois. Her family plans visitation and will receive their friends from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm prior to her service at the funeral home. A memorial fund is being established by her family. To leave a remembrance or for more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com
