Sharon Hyland

Sharon B. Hyland, 84, of Urbana, passed away at 8:50am Friday November 6, 2020 at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, after a short illness.

Sharon is survived by a large family, all of whom love her deeply. This includes her stepchildren, Jeff (Annie) Hyland of Clarendon Hills, IL and Judy Hyland of Gordon, CT., her grandchildren, Heather Hyland (Mick) Madden, Holly Hyland, Jake Hyland, Megan (Bobby) Shaffer, John (Lauren) Wustman , and great-grandchildren, Finn Madden, Lucas Shaffer, Johnny and Avery Wustman.

Sharon is also survived by her two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Ball of Savoy and Susan Ball of Columbia, Maryland, her nieces and nephews, Michael Ball (Laurie Vial) of Champaign, Peggy Ball of Savoy, Brian (Sharon) Ball of rural Dewey, Nathan Ball of Columbia, MD, Liz Ball (Paul Foisy) of Columbia, MD,  great-nieces and nephews, Megan Ball (Todd) Heath of Tolono, Jamie Ball of rural Bement, Kyle Ball of Champaign, Amanda Peters of Ogden, Andrea (Troy) Ray of St. Joseph, Josh Peters of Jupiter, FL, Claire Benjamin (Henry Fineberg) of Urbana and Neal Benjamin (Rich Dunn) of Bloomington, Abbie and Alex Ball of MD and great-great-nephews, Joshua, Landyn, and Jamison Heath, of Tolono.

Sharon was preceded in death by her father, Maurice Lee Ball, her mother Ellen H. Robinett Ball Douglas, her stepfather, Robert S. Douglas, her older brother Ronald H. Ball and younger brother David L. Ball, both in 2018, and nephew-in-law Kevin Peters. Sharon was also preceded in death by her husband Jake Hyland, who passed away in 2013.

Sharon was born November 2, 1936 in Champaign, Illinois. She grew up in and around Foosland, Illinois, but the family later moved to Urbana and she graduated from Urbana High School in 1954. She kept in touch with her friends from high school and they continued to be good friends and had lunch together for years, until recently when the Covid-19/Coronavirus pandemic prevented it.

Sharon worked many years at the University of Illinois, retired from the School of Chemical Sciences where she served as the Secretary to two Heads of the Chemistry Department, Dr. Herbert Gutowsky and Dr. Jiri Jonas. Dr. Jonas said he was sad when she left, because she made his life easier and was so good at dealing with people.

In her retirement Sharon looked after her Mom and Step-Dad, spent lots of time with friends, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and at Presence Covenant Hospital (currently OSF).

Sharon has always been an animal lover, and this love was passed on to her nieces and nephews in the area. Her black Labrador, Trixie was her first child, and was an honorary cousin to her brother’s kids.

During Sharon’s mid-life, she met and fell in love with Bruno Schielzeth, the Urbana City Arborist. They had many adventures enjoying good friends, gardening, nature and the outdoors. Bruno’s history with Pembroke Welsh Corgis would shape their little family. Sharon and Bruno could be seen walking their ‘bunny butt’ dogs around the Lynn Street and Fairlawn neighborhood in Urbana. There was Corey, Puppet and Murray (not all at the same time).

Sharon is also survived by her latest true love, Missy the toy poodle, who was greatly loved by her late husband, Jake Hyland. Missy now makes her home with Sharon’s nephew Michael Ball, his wife Laurie Vial and a slightly disgruntled cat named Alley.

Due to safety concerns, there will be no service for Sharon at this time. The family hopes to have a Celebration of Life in the future.  Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana is assisting with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Champaign County Humane Society (https://www.cuhumane.org/Donate/MakeaDonation.aspx) Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com

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