Sharon L. Helmuth

Sharon Lea (Moyer) Helmuth, 83, of Goshen, passed away peacefully after a long life marked by compassion, humor, curiosity, and steady love.

Sharon was born on September 28, 1942, in Hudson, Michigan, to Harold D. and Ruth I. (Baughman) Moyer. She grew up in Hudson alongside her sister, Carol Jean, and graduated from Hudson High School in 1960. She went on to study nursing at Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Fort Wayne, graduating in 1963.

Sharon worked as a Registered Nurse at Lutheran Hospital for four years before moving to Goshen, where she began what would become a forty-year night-shift career at Goshen Hospital. She served in the pediatric and family units — places where her gentle spirit, quick wit, and no-nonsense practicality made her a beloved nurse to countless families. She offered care with a steady hand and a kind heart, and many in the community still remember her voice, her humor, and the way she made frightening moments feel survivable.

On November 20, 1965, Sharon married the love of her life, Mervin Ray Helmuth, beginning six decades of partnership. Together they built a family rooted in devotion, laughter, faith, and resilience.

Sharon was a longtime member of North Goshen Mennonite Church, where she served faithfully as the church historian and librarian for many years. Sunday after Sunday, she could be found at the library desk—checking in books, straightening shelves, and encouraging others to discover stories that shaped their lives. Her love of reading ran deep; she was rarely without a novel nearby and could often be found in a lawn chair outdoors, absorbed in the latest Maeve Binchy book.

She was also an avid journaler, filling notebooks across eight decades with reflections, prayers, observations, moments of joy, and the kind of dry humor that made those around her laugh without warning. Her journals form a quiet legacy: handwritten evidence of a life lived with thoughtfulness and curiosity.

For more than forty years, Sharon shared life with a small circle of close friends. Together they celebrated births and milestones, played cards, traveled, ate countless meals, and laughed until their stomachs hurt. This group of friends was one of the great joys of her adult life.

She is survived by her husband, Mervin Helmuth, Goshen; her two sons, Timothy P. Helmuth, Bloomington, Ill., and Todd C. (Becky Whitmer) Helmuth, Goshen; and daughter-in-law Jo A. (Stauffer) Helmuth, Goshen.

Sharon is also survived by five grandchildren who brought her great joy: Getty L. (Stephanie Flores), Micah A. (Melanie Hertzler) Helmuth, Joshua A. (Erika Byler) Helmuth, all of Goshen; Jordan E. (Zac Allen) Helmuth, of New Paris, Indiana; and Zeffer P. “Emma” Helmuth, of Mesa, Arizona; two great-granddaughters, Anabel and Viviana Helmuth, Goshen.

Additional survivors include her niece, Lori Layman, Webster City, Iowa, and nephew, Mark Hitzeman, Oak Harbor, Wash.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Carol Jean (Moyer) Hitzemann.

Visitation and Services

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 19, from 4–7 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, Indiana.

A Celebration of Life service will take place on Saturday, December 20, at 10 a.m. at North Goshen Mennonite Church, 501 N. 8th Street, with Becky Helmuth and Izaete Nafziger officiating.

Memorial contributions may be given to North Goshen Mennonite Church, PO Box 505, Goshen, IN 46527.