Maurita Jean Scharman

Maurita Jean Scharman moved on from her earthly life on Sunday, January 19th, 2025 to her forever home in heaven, being reunited with family and friends, now in the presence of the Lord Jesus. Maurita lived out her final few years with a heart of gratefulness, contentment and thankfulness for the wonderful life she was blessed to have lived. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
Born in October of 1933 in Galesburg, IL the daughter of the late Berwin and Annise (Hadden) Manworren. From a young age she was an independent young woman unafraid to venture out and experience life in ways that were not necessarily common for young ladies of that era. Maurita moved away from Galesburg prior to her Junior Year of high school to attend Shimer College for Women in Mt Carroll, IL graduating as Valedictorian of her class in 1951. Maurita went on to Northwestern University, where she earned her B.A. in Education graduating early in December of 1954 to marry her sweetheart James Henry Scharman whom she met while at Shimer College. Years later Maurita went on to complete her Masters of Counseling from Northern Illinois University.
Maurita was an educator her entire life beginning her career in the Shannon Junior High School teaching for five years then serving as the Pearl City High School Guidance Counselor for the next eleven years. Sensing a time for change Maurita worked for Jane Addams Mental Health Center of Freeport for eight years where she was the coordinator of the Youth Services Network and responsible for overseeing the DCFS Runaway Program. Following this season of life, she returned to working as a Guidance Counselor in the Freeport School System for another four years. Rounding out her educational experiences she served for seven years as a Trustee for Highland Community College. Serving junior high, high school students and young adults was her passion.
As a Christ follower the church is where Maurita concentrated her efforts outside of work. A member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon from the late 1950s having served with many committees, boards, Sunday School Classes and ministries of the church. An extension of her passion of working with youth led to having the opportunity for Maurita to grow in her faith in Christ working with the high schoolers from Shannon and surrounding communities. Maurita was a coleader with Jeanne Groezinger of the youth group New Hope for many years where she was privileged to help guide many high school aged kids to a forever life changing relationship with Jesus. One of the most memorable events of this era was returning from the National Christian Youth Congress Choir Competition in Estes Park, CO. Having placed third in the country, 67 boys and girls were escorted into town by a police car on their charter bus. They received an overwhelming reception from hundreds of friends, family, and New Hope supporters, reminiscent of a local high school sports team winning the state championship. Truly, only God could have made this possible! Interests of Maurita included: a love of reading, watching sports, travel, following the stock market, playing golf, boating, serving within the church and other various organizations, helping and caring for others and especially spending time with her grandchildren and family.
Maurita was preceded in death by her parents, husband James H. in 2003 and a son James Curtis in 2020. Maurita had a large small family with survivors including her son Karl H. (Donna), grandsons Austin and Kaleb. Also #3 son Patrick Fortune survives. One brother Donald (Elaine) Manworren also survives along with two nieces and a nephew. Also included within her large small family were many others whom she loved and loved her, especially Debbie (Bruce) Anderson and Judy (Jim) Fosler who surrounded her with their love, friendship and care. Maurita was blessed to have shared life with so many throughout her years, coming alongside them in the good and the times of challenge.
Funeral services will be held at the Bethel United Methodist Church, 217 S. Hickory Street, Shannon at 11AM on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 with the visitation preceding the service from 9AM until time of the service at 11AM. Burial will follow at the Brethren Cemetery, Shannon. To watch the service through the Bethel United Methodist Church Facebook page, please click on the following link at the time of the service https://www.facebook.com/lovechristgrowfaithsharehope/videos.
You may also use a zoom link at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8158642581?pwd=YjFtVVlpUDdSZEZUTFgr-Umsxb2R4Zz09.
A memorial has been established in memory of Maurita. The family wants to thank the staffs of Ciel Senior Living of Long Grove and Winn Prairie Assisted Living of Freeport for their personal love, care and attention that they provided to Maurita over the years while she was in their care. Maurita wanted others to accept and follow Jesus, she is now at peace and at home in the loving arms of God. Arrangements by Law Jones Eastland.