Sharon M. Gegner

Sharon M. Gegner, 88, of Marietta, Ohio, was tired and left for the peacefulness of the Lord on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Marietta Memorial Hospital in Marietta, Ohio. She was born July 24, 1938, in McMinnville, Oregon to John and Winona (Finn) Coleman.

Sharon spent her first three years in Valdese, Alaska, where her father was the Superintendent of the high school. Unfortunately, WWII forced the family to move out of Alaska, and onto Enterprise, Oregon. After graduating from La Grande High School, she moved to southern California, where she worked in the insurance industry for 30 years. Sharon earned her Charted Life Underwriter degree in 1981, and retired from Mutual of New York in 1987, after working in various positions until moving to Marietta in 1992.

Sharon married Stephen Gegner in Reno, Nevada on September 6, 1982, after negotiating two wedding rings at a local pawn shop.

She enjoyed gardening, and was Master Gardener volunteer, past co-president of the Marietta Garden Club, an avid reader, and board member of Friends of the Library. Sharon especially enjoyed her book club, Stoked on Books, which she began at the Bridgewater Café (thank you, Beth!), and her Mah Jong and Canasta groups. She was a sustaining member of the Marietta Welfare League, Betsey Mills Club, and volunteered for various organizations. Her favorite volunteer experience was with the Master Gardener, teaching a garden program for young men from the juvenile facility.

Sharon is survived by sons, Kurtis (Norita) Hutsell, of Allen, Texas, and Eric Hutsell, of Marietta; granddaughter, Kelsey Hutsell, of Ft. Collins, Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Gegner and parents, John Coleman and Winona Finn (Dodson) Coleman.

Abiding her wishes, cremation has been observed, with no services planned. Ashes will be interred at Bethel Cemetery, near her family farm in Oregon.

Thank you to Marietta for making Sharon’s retirement years challenging and wonderful!

Memorial gifts in honor of Sharon may be directed to the Humane Society of the Ohio, 90 Mt. Tom Rd. Marietta, Ohio 45750, the Betsey Mills Club, 300 4th St. Marietta, Ohio 45750, or the Marietta Community Foundation, 100 Putnam St. Marietta, Ohio 45750. CAWLEY & PEOPLES FUNERAL HOME OF MARIETTA is honored to serve Sharon’s family and offers online condolences as well as many other resources by visiting www.CawleyandPeoples.com or by following their Facebook page.