Sharon Downing
Wood River | Save
Sharon "Kay" Downing, 82, of Wood River, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2026, at Alton Memorial Hospital.
She was born on December 12, 1943, in Hillsboro, IL, the daughter of Oscar "Peck" and Beulah E. (Hurst) Shewmake, Jr.
Kay married Rufus B. Downing in Wood River, on May 6, 1972, and he survives.
She loved watching St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, listening to Elvis, going for rides up the Great River Road, and spending time with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren.
Along with her husband, Rufus, she is survived by two sons, Allen (Robin) Downing, and Bryon (Debra) Downing; two sisters, Pat Weissman, and Joy Anton; a brother, Bob Shewmake; four grandchildren, Grant Downing, Adeline Downing, Liam Downing, and Evan Downing; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, H. J. Shewmake and infant Jerry Paul Shewmake.
Memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, from 9:30 am until time of service at 11 am, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Pastor Andrew Packer will officiate.
Inurnment will be at a later date at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.
Memorials are suggested to Disabled American Veterans and/or The American Heart Association.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
