Joseph Carl Sharpe

November 14, 2023, Joseph (Joe) Carl Sharpe, 78, of Bluffton, SC completed his journey on earth and went to be with Jesus. After struggling boldly against cardiac issues for more than ten years, his health suddenly declined requiring extended ICU care. Though encouraged and supported by his wife, children, and grandson, and the prayers of family and friends, recovery was not possible. In comfort and care for more than a week, his wife and eldest daughter were with him when he went to meet his Savior.
The eldest of four children, Joe was born to Carl Loman Sharpe and Lucy Catherine Kaczmarek Sharpe on June 24, 1945, in Bourbon, IN. He is survived by his half-brother, Donald Luzin, his sister Carlotta (Sharpe) Olinger and his younger brother Daniel Sharpe. His brother Thomas Sharpe predeceased him. During grade school and high school Joe was passionate about basketball, baseball and muscle cars and graduated from Bourbon High School in 1963. He went on to work for RR Donnelly and Sons in Warsaw, IN as a Journeyman Re-toucher after high school. His ensuing career in publication retouching spanned more than 44 years.
Joe and Bobbi married on February 26, 1966, in Plymouth Indiana and for 12 years resided in Indiana near family and lifelong friends, where they had four children: Mechelle (Sharpe) Tillotson, Kimberli (Sharpe) Nalven-Fuchs, Spencer Sharpe and Corrine (Sharpe) Crickmore. As a young husband and father, Joe continued to play in basketball leagues, softball leagues and was an avid car enthusiast. A strong and competitive athlete himself, he enjoyed most any sport at which he was able to compete. In 1979, Joe and Bobbi left their hometown and moved the family to Greensboro, NC for a new job opportunity. Joe became an enthusiastic bicyclist and also developed a great love for golf. Later, he resided in New Albany, IN, Cary, NC, Charlotte, NC and Apex, NC. Joe and Bobbi then retired to Bluffton, SC and cultivated a close and enduring friend circle in Sun City, over the past ten years.
Unquestionably, Joe was a fervent follower of Christ. He loved being part of the choir, leading worship time and singing tenor in a quartet. He enjoyed seven years as part of the Master's Men's Choir for Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. He was devoted to both teaching and studying scriptural principles for practical, daily living. He believed in God's sovereign plan for his life, knew that his eternity waited one day with Christ and lived with a clear hope of his reconciliation with those of us he loves, one day in heaven. For more than six years, he passionately volunteered with the JumpStart South Carolina, prison ministry, mentoring and coaching prison inmates for reintegration into daily life. He adamantly believed that God's love and grace can change any life. And he was committed to living out his faith and serving his Lord in all things.
He is survived by:
His wife of 57 years, Bobbi Sharpe, Shelli Tillotson (spouse: Joel), Kimberli Nalven-Fuchs (spouse: Randy), Spencer Sharpe (spouse: Wendy) and Corrine Crickmore (spouse: George).
In addition to his wife, four children and their spouses, Joe is survived by his nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They include: Christian Tillotson (grandson), Grey Bolduc (granddaughter), Trey Tillotson (grandson), Joshua Nalven (grandson), Ari Nalven (grandson), Chloe Sharpe (granddaughter), Kaleigh Sharpe (granddaughter), Noah Sharpe (grandson), Hayden Sharpe (granddaughter), Benjamin Tillotson (great grandson), and Adelline Nalven (great granddaughter).
He will be forever loved, forever missed, and forever remembered by all of us whose lives he touched. What a joyful reunion he no doubt will lead when we each reunite with him one day.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Rd, Bluffton. Everyone is welcome to wear the color red in honor of Joe, as red was his favorite color! You are also welcome to bring your favorite picture of him!
In lieu of flowers, please honor Joe by donating to the JumpStart of South Carolina Ministry that he volunteered with that provides Christian rehabilitation for prison inmates.