Onkar N. Sharma

Dr. Onkar N. Sharma\r\nMattoon, IL- Dr.Onkar N. Sharma, age 68, of Mattoon, IL passed away at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 12:48 P.M.\r\nServices celebrating his life will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home in Mattoon, IL with Rev. Andrew Thephasdin officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Ave, Mattoon, IL 61938.\r\nDr. Sharma was born May 5, 1943 in Punjabi, India, the son of A.N. and Viydia Sharma. He married Linda S. Highland July 2, 1973 in Las Vegas, NV.\r\nSurvivors include his loving wife Linda S. Sharma of Mattoon, IL; three daughters, Dr. Nicole Lambert and her husband Dan of Chicago, IL, Sanya Myerscough and her husband David of Champaign, IL and Erica Thephasdin and her husband Andrew of Chicago, IL; two brothers, Santosh Sharma and Papu Sharma both of New Delhi, India; five grandchildren, Ellianna Lambert of Chicago, IL, Amelia Myerscough of Champaign, IL, Maxson Lambert of Chicago, IL, Ryan Myerscough of Champaign, IL and Drew Thephasdin of Chicago, IL; one niece, Poonam Sharma of New Delhi, India; one nephew, Nikhil Sharma of New Delhi, India; nine other nieces and one nephew that fondly called him 'Onkie'. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Shawn Stephen Sharma.\r\nDr. Sharma graduated from the All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi, India. Arriving to the United States, he took his internship at the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital in Cleveland, OH and his residency in Pediatrics at the Howard University Medical School in Washington, D.C. A Pediatric Fellowship was completed at the Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, MD and a Genetics Fellowship at Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans, LA. He was board certified in Pediatrics and was a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics. He came to Mattoon, IL in 1971 joining the staff at the Link Clinic as a Pediatrician practicing in both Mattoon, IL and Toledo, IL. He was currently on staff at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Family Medical Center, where he served as Chief of Staff of Pediatrics. Over his forty years of Pediatric service he cared for thousands of children and their children also. Parents of his patients have described him as knowledgeable, compassionate, caring, kind, big hearted, amazing and loving to the children he treated. \r\nDr. Sharma was a Special Olympics volunteer in Mattoon, IL since its inception. He also enjoyed computers, jigsaw puzzles, grilling out and was known as a 'high roller' at Harrah's Casino. However, Dr. Sharma's greatest love and affection was his family, especially enjoying his role as grandfather, known as 'Pa' and participating in their events. His family will always remember his unconditional love and support and forever cherish their memories and times shared. Dr. Sharma will truly be missed by his family and all of those whose lives he touched.\r\nMemorials may be made to the Mattoon, IL Food Pantry, Salvation Army of Mattoon, IL and Camp New Hope of Mattoon, IL.\r\nTo share a memory or light a candle, please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com.\r\n

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Onkar N. Sharma

May 5, 1943 - February 10, 2012