Sharon Ione Hays

Sharon Ione Hays (Boltinghouse) died Wednesday, September 15th after battling a long illness. She was born to Gilbert and Viola Boltinghouse on August 13, 1940 in a tiny house off of Highway 45 in Unionville, Indiana, the third of 7 children and the last to be born at home. She was the mother of 4, grandmother of 8 and great-grandmother of 11 and a wife of 40 years to her loving husband, Avery. Being a matriarch to this growing brood was her most treasured role in life, infusing her with life and joy in the past several years. Family was everything to Sharon, who grew up surrounded by siblings, whom she remained close with over the years. As a young mother, she was busy, but motivated to create something for herself. With small children in tow, she launched a business that would last for the next 35 years. Rags t’ Ritches began as a small clothing shop, eventually morphing into the go-to costume shop on the Indiana University campus. After realizing how many students were looking for costumes for plays and parties, recognized the market opportunity and smartly transitioned the business. An innate entrepreneur, Sharon had a strong business mind and worked hard to maintain the thriving shop, a favorite stop for her grandchildren. They loved to visit, as she would sneak them gag gifts like fake blood, whoopie cushions, vampire teeth and face paint -- nothing more delightful to a pre-teen. Much like her shop, full of whimsy and party favors, Sharon was a positive, vibrant spirit who loved people and never said no to a party or gathering. Sharon was known for her love of Elvis Presley, which could be heard playing around the clock at Christmastime especially. She was an avid doll collector for many years and always kept stashes of candy, fudge or cookies around for visitors at her home. She loved nothing more than to be surrounded by family at the holidays and to relish in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren -- and spent many wonderful years with her beloved dog, Presley. She never missed sending a birthday card and always thoughtfully chose Christmas presents for everyone -- often unique items she discovered watching QVC. She loved to follow pop culture and keep up with celebrity gossip, even in her later years. She never lost her spirit of fun and excitement for life, spilling out her joy for the future even until her last days. Sharon fought valiantly to stay here on earth with her family, living far longer than any doctors expected her to. Her resiliency and commitment to living life to fullest to the very end was enduring and inspiring. She was supported by her husband, Avery, who has spent his days humbly caring for her in an incredible expression of dedicated, unconditional love. And while she was hesitant to leave this earth, Sharon had faith in Jesus Christ and looked forward to meeting Him in heaven, as well as greeting the loved ones that had gone before her. She is survived by her husband, Avery Hays and his sons, Richard Hays of Marysville, Washington (Karen) and Timothy Brent Hays of Poland Indiana, her sister Donetta Willibey (Dave) and her sister Beth Ann Terrell (Bobby), her children, Greg Andersen (Lori), Cheryl Trisler (Greg), Angie Kline (Keith) and Andrea Nickless (Stanley), her grandchildren, Ericka Sylvester (Rick), Lindsey Hein (Glen), Shelby Gil (Cef), Chloe Nickless, Christopher Conley, Travis Trisler (fiancée Brittney Blazek) and Cameron Trisler and her great-grandchildren, Jacob and Abigail Sylvester, Marshall, Louis, Russell and Sandy Hein, Giovanna, Gunner and Letty Gil, Lily and Roman Conley, her sister-in-law, Paula Boltinghouse, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her children’s father Maynard ‘Andy’ Andersen, her sister Jo-Ann Wicker (Robert), her sister Rosie Horn (Wade), Horn, her sister Nancy Hupp (Eddie), her brother Steve Boltinghouse and her brother-in-law, Ronald Terrell and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at Allen Funeral Home and Cremation, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am with funeral services at 1:00 pm. You can send cards and flowers to Allen Funeral Home. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

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Sharon Ione Hays

August 13, 1940 - September 15, 2021