Wayne Vaught Sharp passed from this life May 25, 2017.

He was born July 30, 1930 to Eli Elliott and Etta Ferne (Vaught) Sharp in western Gibson County.

He grew up on a melon farm and attended Owensville School. He attended Boy’s State, and received the Billy Sumner Award upon graduation from high school. After graduation he joined the Air Force and served in the Korean War, stationed in Alaska. After discharge, he attended the University of Oregon and graduated from Oakland City College and the University of Georgia. He taught Math in Wabash, Indiana and Wadesville, then at North Posey and also farmed in Gibson and Posey Counties. He was a member of the VFW and Maumee General Baptist Church. Serving his community was important and he was on the South Gibson School Board and Owensville Carnegie Public Library Board.

Wayne married Lauretta June Sharp on June 1, 1957.

They loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Europe, Australia, Hawaii, Alaska, and most of the continental USA. The greatest trips were to Pawley’s Island, South Carolina with the entire family. Wayne was well known for his irascible personality, always having a crossword puzzle, writing a medical school recommendation for Dr. Burkett, and wearing red fuzzy socks. He was not as well known for liking Mad Magazine and the kindness and care he extended to people who had no one else to help them. He was a true conservationist and planted many trees at his farm at Upper Hills as well as many other places.

Preceding Wayne are his wife, parents and his siblings, Donald Sharp and Jean Sharp Waters.

Surviving Wayne are his brother, Jim Sharp of Evansville, his daughters and their families: Margo (John) English of Owensville, Perian (Kenton) Brett of Indianapolis, and Shannon (Lance) Vondrak of Kildeer, Illinois. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Melinda Barbour Spears, Mary-Hannah English, Alexis English, Laura Brett, Emma Brett, Eric Vondrak, Rachel Vondrak, and his great-grandchildren, Carter Hoskins, Cashmire Spears, and Crimzen Spears.

The funeral will be at Maumee General Baptist Church in Johnson on June 3 at 10:00, with visitation at 9 with full military honors conducted by the retired military veterans. Burial will follow at Upper Hills Cemetery in Griffin. Pastor Kevin Miley will be officiating the funeral service. Visitation will also be Friday, June 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Holders Funeral Home in Owensville.