Sharla E. Thilker

Sharla E. Thilker

(April 9, 1974 – May 12, 2023)

Sharla Elyece Thilker , 49, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 10:25 a.m. Friday, May 12, 2023 in her residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2023 at Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, 415 N. Broadway, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Claude Howell officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2023 and prior to the funeral from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Friday in the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2023 in Orchard Hill Cemetery, Louisville, IL. Memorials may be given to the Korryna Thilker Education Fund.

Sharla was born on April 9, 1974 in Vandalia, IL, the daughter of Samuel and Sharon (Scott) Aldridge. She graduated from Effingham High School in the Class of 1992 and from Greenville College in 2003. Sharla married Jared R. Thilker on June 30, 2012. Sharla was a loving wife, proud dance mom, Air Force s’mom, and found her greatest joy in being an Oma to her two grandsons. She will be remembered for her quick wit, sarcasm, and sense of humor. Her laugh continued until the end of her battle with ALS. Sharla loved inside jokes, Disney World, playing the piano, literature, and board games. Through playing the piano, she had the opportunity to mentor many students who will carry her musical ability with them. Her love for literature turned into a career as a Librarian at Moulton Middle School, where she shared her love for books with numerous students. Sharla was notably the World’s Greatest TiTi to her nieces and nephews.

Sharla is survived by her husband, Jared; daughter, Korryna Thilker of Shelbyville; sons, Blake Thilker (Macy) of Gillespie, IL, and Logan Thilker of Toledo, IL; parents, Sam and Sharon Aldridge of Inverness, FL; brother, Scott Aldridge of Bainbridge, GA; two grandchildren, Brett and Brody Thilker; 22 nieces and nephews; and 15 great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, John & Marcella Aldridge; maternal grandmother, Bonnie Steffen; and parents-in-law, Cecil & Lois Thilker.