Sharon Kay Potts

Sharon Kay (Goebel) Potts passed away at home on a sunny Sunday morning, March 22, 2026. She was born in Andrews, Indiana, on August 3, 1943, to June (Flora) and Wallace Goebel. Sharon married Thomas Michael Potts on February 24, 1963. She joins her husband of 50 years, Thomas, their beloved infant son, her parents, and countless other loved ones in Heaven. She is survived by her partner of the last 12 years, Dave Slocum, and her three daughters, Tami (Scott) Lantow, Lori (Ray) Gravelle, and Michelle (Michael) Osborne, as well as her grandchildren, Jason and Justin (Kate) VanAlstine, Emily and Maggie Fragapane, Amy and Julie (Morgan) Gravelle, Dakota (Sarah) Stark, Olivia Stark, and Sara (Jonah) Jimenez, and great-grandchildren, Maren and Ella VanAlstine, and Wren Gravelle. In addition, Sharon was blessed to be a bonus step-grandmother to (15) grandchildren and (26) great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brother Sam (Judy) Goebel and many nieces and nephews. 

Sharon was active in all areas of life. She studied secretarial skills at the International Business College, where she met Tom.  She held jobs at the Defiance County Extension Office and Hills Department Store. As a mother, Sharon was active with the church,  PTA, 4-H, Tinora Young Farmers, and enjoyed many hobbies including tending to flower and vegetable gardens, canning, and sewing. Sharon gave back to the Defiance community in many ways, including volunteering with her beloved church, Independence United Methodist, Hospice the Caring Way of Defiance Co Auxiliary, and the Crisis Pregnancy Center. Sharon was a bright light to all who knew her, and made memories camping with family, baking, cooking, and traveling. 

In the month before she passed, Sharon enjoyed a house full of family and friends who loved her deeply. Sharon’s loved ones feel blessed to be left with years of memories enjoying card games, homemade noodles, Pajama Grandma Christmases, winter visits to Arizona, and stories of the cardinal who greeted her often at the kitchen window and for whom she developed a special fondness. When you see a cardinal, may you think of Sharon.

In honor of Sharon’s memory, the family kindly asks that loved ones refrain from sending flowers (or any fragrant gifts) in consideration of those with asthma and allergies. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to any of the following organizations: Independence United Methodist Church, Hospice the Caring Way of Defiance Co Auxiliary, and Elara Caring Hospice Foundation. 

Visitation for Sharon will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Grisier Funeral Home of Archbold, from 2pm to 7pm. A committal service will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Riverview Memory Gardens in Defiance, at 9:30am. A celebration of Sharon's life will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11am, at St. Paul's Methodist Church of Defiance. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com. The Grisier Funeral Home of Archbold is honored to serve the Potts family.

The obituary for Sharon was lovingly prepared by her family.

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