Sharon Kay Kilburn Obituary
The Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church, 4408 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo. Friends may call on the family on Thursday evening, August 27, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. The Holy Rosary will be prayed on Thursday evening, August 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo, in c/o the funeral home.
Sharon Kay Kilburn age 84 of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday night, August 22, 2026. Sharon was born in Kalamazoo on October 25, 1941, the daughter of Elmer Charles and Donna Ethelyn (Truax) Kelley. On June 2, 1990, she married Gregory Q. Kilburn, who survives her. Sharon was an excellent bowler. She was a 13-time Senior All-star bowler and was an 11-time captain of the All-star team. She was also an enthusiastic golfer. She and Greg also enjoyed playing Poker and Bingo. They also enjoyed many Caribbean cruises and travelling to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. She was proud to be a Kalamazoo native. She had the distinction of having membership #2 at the Kalamazoo Country Club. Sharon was a devout Catholic. When she could no longer attend Mass in person, she would participate with the televised Masses. She was active in the lives of her children and grandchildren until she couldn't do it anymore due to her health. She was a generous and loving person who cared about those who are in need. Her family recalls holiday parties at her home that included Easter egg hunts, readings of "The Night Before Christmas," and as well as other traditional holiday things. Everyone was always welcomed. Besides her husband Sharon is survived by her daughter, Susan (Andrew) VandenBerg; step-children, Diane Norg and Steven Kilburn; grandchildren, Monica (Shawn) Eldred, Lyndsey (Andrew) Qualiato, Chelsea (Ralph) Balkema, Jaimee Norg, Chelsie Norg, Tyler Norg, Eric (Christine) Tobin, Amy (Andy) Brock, Angela (Nick) Cook, Ryan (Nicole) Peck; twenty-two great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sister, Mary Barrett; sister in law, Vickie Kelley; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends including her very special friend and care-giver, Earl Watson. Sharon was preceded in death her by parents; son, Timothy (Barbara) Kissinger; brothers, Thomas Kelley, Patrick (Ruth) Kelley; sister, Michaeline (Keith) Sutton.
