Sharon Rose (McFarlin) Leis, 82, of Norwalk, Ohio was called home on September 22, 2025, into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father.  Surrounded by her family, Sharon passed away peacefully at Fisher-Titus Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born, January 20, 1943, in Sandusky, Ohio, Sharon was the oldest of six children born to the late Arthur J. & Dorothy M. (Lawrence) McFarlin and goddaughter of the late Virginia (Lawrence) Nesselhauff and Melvin Lawrence who died serving our country in WW1; baptized into the Catholic Church.  Sharon held fond memories of her childhood growing up with her siblings, Speed, Kevin, Micki Anne, John Arthur and Tom along with her late paternal grandparents, Arthur John & Ann M. (Moffit) McFarlin of North Fairfield, Ohio, maternal grandparents, Leo G & Mary (Lieb) Lawrence of Sandusky, Ohio and her large extended family.

Sharon attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School where she enjoyed helping the nuns after school. Attending high school at St. Mary's Catholic School, Sharon was a member of the graduating class of 1961.  After graduating from high school, she attended business school and worked as a secretary for an insurance company.

One night while out with a friend at The Barn on Perkins Ave, Sharon was introduced to LeRoy Leis of Monroeville, Ohio; it was love at first sight.  On May 1, 1965, Sharon and LeRoy joined as one into the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony, at Holy Angel's Catholic Church in Sandusky, Ohio.  Her father walked her down the aisle while John and Micki served as ringbearer and flower girl respectively and Sandi (Michaels) Pressler, her life-long friend, standing as her maid-of-honor.

Sharon and LeRoy started their new life in Monroeville, Ohio and soon welcomed four daughters into their union; Lori, Diana, Kara and Tina.  After delivering her first daughter, Sharon decided to stay at home and raise her children.  She created a loving and nurturing home that all her daughters have wonderful memories. And sometimes when the girls got to be a bit too much, she would say "just wait till your father gets home!".  But most of the time the girls were heard giggling and having fun from the happy home Sharon created for her family. She made sure they were fed and finished their plate, even if Kara hated chili.  She tucked them into bed, had them say their prayers and kissed them goodnight.

In 1976, Sharon and LeRoy moved to Norwalk, Ohio where they have lived to the present day. In 1980, the pair extended their home to host foreign exchange students who Sharon became a second mom to and kept in touch to this day.  Alfredo, 1981, Guillermo,1982, Antonio,1983 and German, 1984.  When her youngest was almost grown, Sharon worked at Leis Furniture in Monroeville, the family business, as a sales associate and other supporting roles to the business. She often said her 50s were some of the best times in her life when she and her husband had time to spend in Florida and other adventures.

Just as her children left the nest, Sharon became known as Gram when her oldest grandson, Brenden was born in 1990, and a few years later, Dakota, Joshua, Jacob, Mason, Aidan, Elyse and finally Ashton.  Her grandchildren loved and adored her as she showered them with love and affection.  Gram and Pop were often seen with at least one grandchild. All of them took turns staying over, going to Chet and Matt's for pizza on Friday nights.  Each had their own pillow, blanket, cup and plate at their house and lots of toys. Somehow, she managed to keep 7 grandsons in line and if needed, she pulled out the plastic spoon.  But that was only after they were first put on the timeout chair. Gram was known for her delicious pies, baked beans and White Christmas Cookies which we could not eat until 6 pm on Christmas Eve, the battle of frosting verses no frosting will live on for generations.

It warmed her heart as she saw these children she put so much love into growing into wonderful young adults, finding love and starting their families. In 2023, she became Gram to a new generation of great grandbabies, Roland, Braelynn (Little $hit), Grayson (Little Turd) and Lainey.  It breaks our hearts that she missed meeting two baby girls due soon, Vienna Rose and Baby girl Leis, Brenden's first child who she waited so long to meet.

Sharon was an amazing daughter, sister, aunt, godmother to her niece's Tami Rodgers and Dawn Fulton and cousin, Robert (Bobby) Sartor and friend to many.  She enjoyed date night with LeRoy, bowling on Sunday nights in their bowling league, ceramics, camping trips with her extended family, reading and gardening.  She cherished and she loved all her pets, but especially Bear.  She did not like mushrooms.  She was a member of St. Gerard's Study Club of St. Joseph's Church. Sharon was a devote Catholic and member of Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Norwalk where her and LeRoy attended 4:30 mass every Saturday.  She loved her rosaries and spent many hours praying for her loved ones who passed before her as well as those she loved.  Her brother, Speed, who passed away in 1990, Sharon prayed he would make it to heaven.  When the rosary broke in church one day, she believed it was his sign that his soul made it to heaven.

Just this year, Sharon celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with LeRoy with a mass at St. Paul's and a dinner celebration. The greatest gift they gave their family was loving each other. Their love, respect and devotion for each other is a testament of their true love and will forever be cherished by their family.

Reunited with her in Heaven, she is proceeded in death by her father, Arthur in 1996, her mother, Dorothy in 2017 and her brother, Speed in 1990.  Father-in-law, Howard L. Leis in 1999 and her mother-in-law, Frances (Haas) Leis in 2011.

Sharon leaves behind her husband, Leroy L. Leis, known as Archie by most, but she called him LeRoy. Her daughters; Lori A. Leis and her husband Robert Bennett, Diana L. Leis, Kara Leis and her fiancé' Robert Webb and Tina Leis.  Grandsons; Brenden Leis and his wife Kelsey (Rivett) Leis and their unborn baby girl Leis, Dakota Bennett and his girlfriend Jade Morales, Joshua Richards and his wife Megan (McLeod) and their son Grayson Richard and unborn daughter Vienna Rose, Jacob Coe and his girlfriend Kira Swartz, Mason Bennett and his wife Kaylee (Bruns ) Bennett and their son RoRo and daughter Lainey Bug.  Aidan Bennett and his wife Madison (Gay) Bennett and the baby of the grandkids, Ashton Coe and his girlfriend Brooke Songer. Her favorite granddaughter, Elyse Coe and Gage Blackford and their daughter Brae. Sister-in-law Charotte McFarlin, wife of Speed McFarlin. Brothers, Kevin McFarlin (Norma Jean Baker), John McFarlin and his wife Bonnie McFarlin and baby brother, Thomas Jude. Her favorite sister, Micki Anne and her husband Joseph Zaleski. Sister-in-laws; Tonya Bruce, Sharon Leis, Susan Birri and her husband William Birri, Diana Leis Delker and her husband Christoper Delker. Nieces and nephews whom she was known as Aunt Sherry.

Visitation for Sharon will be on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.  A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at St. Paul Catholic Church, beginning at 10:30 a.m. immediately followed by a luncheon at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, a charity Sharon always contributed. Sharon believed all children should have the care they need especially after Dakota, her grandson was diagnosed with brain cancer, now a 16-year survivor.

Sharon's family would like to thank all those who lovingly cared for her during her brief illness, especially her granddaughter, Elyse Coe, her niece Jayden Zaleski, and the care team at Fisher Titus TCU and Fisher-Titus ICU.

Sharon will be missed greatly by all who love her.  We will miss her infectious laugh, loving hugs and kisses and her warm smile. She will live in our hearts forever. We know she is now in Heaven watching over us all.  Remember we need to check in with each other, walk out together, especially at night and let someone know we made it home safely; she would want us to do that for each other.