Sharon (Duckworth) Altenberger

Sharon (Duckworth) Altenberger, 82, of Metropolis, formerly of Karnak, IL, passed away Monday, August 25, 2025 at 3:09 am at The Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah, KY.

Sharon was born January 14, 1943 on a farm near Perks, Illinois.

She attended and graduated from Karnak High School. In 1964, she graduated from the Missouri Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri. During her nursing career, she served in various health care positions in Long-term Care facilities as a Charge Nurse, Inservice Director, Assistant Director of Nursing and Director of Nursing.

Sharon accepted a position as Director of Nursing at the Americana Healthcare Center in Naperville, IL., She was promoted to Nurse Consultant at the Corporate office for five years in Monticello, IL., Then she accepted the position as a Surveyor at the Indiana State Board of Health for the Skilled Division in Indianapolis, IN. After which time, she served five years as a Corporate Health Service Coordinator for The Southern Region for Miller’s Merry Manor, INC. in LaGrange, IN. Sharon spent the last ten years as a Healthcare Consultant for Courtney and Associates Healthcare Consultants in Indianapolis, IN., a Division of Lucas Health Group.
Her last fifteen years as an Associate for Courtney and Associates Healthcare Consultant in Indianapolis, IN., a Division of Lucas Health Group.

Sharon retired in 2001 to assist her sister (Judy), brother (Jim), and her sister-in-law (Vurtis) with the care of their mother at her sister’s home in Karnak until their mother’s death.

Sharon was a Christian. She loved God and her Savior, Jesus Christ. She faithfully prayed and read the Bible (The Holy Word) every day.
Sharon loved her husband, Wes, and always called him her soul mate. During her husband’s lifetime, Wes has penned several Christian songs which inspired Shaon in 2015 to write her published book entitled, “Have the Apocalyptic Horses Started to Gallop? If so, why?” Wes is a gifted singer and guitar player, and Sharon loved hearing him sing and play the old Gospel songs. Sharon enjoyed traveling with Wes in his music ministry for ten years. She loved her family and called her niece, Terri Kotter, her Biblical soul mate. She and Terri texted almost every day in the early morning hours. Sharon enjoyed living on the farm with Wes and spending time outdoors tending her numerous flowers. One of her great joys was watching Wes mow the back pasture land while she sat in the porch swing. Until her health began to fail, Sharon enjoyed helping her brother on his very large farm garden early in the mornings in the Spring and Summer where he so generously shared with others. It was also a treat when their sister, Judy, joined them.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Wes Altenberger; one brother, Jim (Vurtis) Duckworth of Perks, IL; three stepsons, John (Missy) Tennant of Greenfield, IL, Marty (Angie) Altenberger and Greg Altenberger of Edwardsville, IL; five nieces, Tina (Mark) Canada of Monmouth, IL, Toni Adams of Hampton, GA, Terri Kotter of Desoto, MO, Teresa Althoff of Cape Girardeau, MO, Taylor Altenberger, PhD of Tampa, FL; one nephew, Brad (Gayla) Duckworth of Youngsville, LA.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Annelle Cooper Duckworth, her first husband, James Tennant (2002), her sister, Judy Altenberger (2025), and her daughter-in-law, Cyndie Altenberger.

Sharon is now at Home with her Lord. She said, “I’ll meet you in Heaven when your time on Earth ends.”

Per Sharon’s request, there will be no services.

Interment will be in Anderson Cemetery in Boaz.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wilson’s Funeral Home in Karnak, IL.

To leave an online message for the family or share a memory, you can also visit our website at www.wilsonfuneralhome1928.com