SUBLETTE – Sharon Kay Kellen, 81, of Sublette, passed away in the early morning of Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at Allure of Mendota.

Funeral services will be Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Compton with Rev. Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. until time of services.

Sharon was born May 2, 1942, in Mendota, the daughter of Delphan and Arlene (Pierce) Schlesinger. She was married to Gaylon Ehlers for 20 years and they had two sons, Brent and Brad. On Sept. 21, 1985, Sharon married Robert “Buck” Kellen of Sublette and was married to Robert until his death in 2018.

Sharon is survived by her two sons, Brent Ehlers of Omaha, Neb., and Brad (Mary) Ehlers, of Sublette; two brothers, Gale (Jeanne) Schlesinger of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Randy (Mark Lamkins) Schlesinger of Sublette; brother-in-law Kevin (Kathy) Kellen of Rhinelander, Wis.; sister-in-law Karen (Dina) Kellen of Lakewood, Colo.; three grandchildren, Brock (Erika) Ehlers of Munster, Ind., Caitlin (Ryan Elmendorf) Ehlers of Dixon, and Dylan (Brittany Alleman) Ehlers of Sublette; three great-grandchildren, Bay Machuca and Cameron Ehlers of Munster, Ind., and Liam Elmendorf of Dixon; and many nieces and nephews. Sharon is also survived by Gaylon Ehlers, the father of her sons, Brent and Brad.

Sharon was preceded in death by both parents and her husband, Robert “Buck” Kellen in 2018.

Sharon was a graduate of Amboy High School class of 1960. Sharon held several jobs in her lifetime including the First State Bank of Mendota, Sunrise Nursing Home in Mendota, and the Farmer's State Bank of Sublette before retiring from Woodhaven Lakes General Store in Sublette. In life, Sharon enjoyed spending her time with family and friends, and involved herself with many hobbies including reading, baking, cross-stitching, ceramics, gardening, and listening to her favorite band, The Statler Brothers. Amongst family and friends, Sharon was also known for her avid love for the U.S.A, displaying red, white, and blue and/or flag decorations throughout the house in various fashions year-round along with her countless pieces of patriotic jewelry.

Memorials may be addressed to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton, IL. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.