- Visitation
Saturday, February 22, 2025
9:00 to 11:00 am
First Congregational Church, Highland, IL
- Service
Saturday, February 22, 2025
11:00 am
First Congregational Church, Highland, IL
- Full Obituary
Sharon L. Bridgewater, 86, of Highland, IL, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
She was born on August 18, 1938, in Litchfield, IL, to Joseph and Alice (nee Cadell) Konopka. On July 20, 1957, Sharon married George A. Bridgewater at the First United Methodist Church in Gillespie, IL.
Sharon has lived in Highland for most of her life. She grew up in Gillespie, IL, graduating from Gillespie High School in 1956, and moved to Collinsville, IL, after her and George were married. While in Collinsville, she worked in St. Louis for Missouri Pacific Railroad. They moved to Highland in 1969, built a house in Holiday Manor, and Sharon worked for Tom-Boy Market as a cashier, then SIUE as Executive Secretary for the Director of Food Service. In 1986, George’s job transferred them to Omaha, NE, where Sharon worked for First National Bank of Omaha, until she retired in the early 90’s, and they moved back to Highland in 1995.
She was a faithful member of the First Congregational Church in Highland and through them, belonged to the Dorcas Society. In their early marriage years, Sharon and George were a part of a square-dancing group in Collinsville, and later, they enjoyed making and painting wooden crafts. Sharon was a great cook, she liked to read, work jigsaw puzzles, spend time with her family, go shopping with her daughters, and crocheted afghans for family and friends. For the last few years, she enjoyed going out to eat in Edwardsville with a group of her girl friends every Sunday.
Sharon was a dedicated wife, loving mother, and adoring grandmother/great grandmother. She will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Alice Konopka; husband, George Bridgewater; and infant son, Scott Allen Bridgewater.
Sharon is survived by her daughters, Tammy (Mark) Wellen, Highland, IL, and Kristen (Thomas) Switzer, Highland, IL; grandchildren, Michael Wellen, Ashley (Cameron) Singler, Jessica Wilson, Brooke Wilson, Abbie (Buster) Hendricks, and Chelsie (Luke) Voss; great grandchildren, Cameron Hendricks, Maddex Hendricks, Axten Hendricks, Olivia Voss, and Lainie Voss; sister, Jolene (Phil) Kocis, Estero, FL; brother-in-law, Charles (Judy) Bridgewater, Dover, OH; nephews, Jeffrey (Natalie) Kocis and Michael Kocis; nieces, Terri (Bob) Argent and Marsha (Guy) Schrock; and multiple great nieces and great nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to First Congregational Church in Highland, IL
Visitation: Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 am, at First Congregational Church, Highland, IL
Funeral Service: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 11:00 am, at First Congregational Church, Highland, IL
Clergy: Pastor Rich Cook
Interment: Highland City Cemetery
Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL
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