Sharon Kendall, 76, of Dublin, Ohio, passed away on February 10, 2026, at her happy place in Bradenton, Florida, with her loving husband by her side.
Sharon was born January 18, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois, to Creed and Avis (Denton) Hahn. Raised in Topeka, Kansas, she graduated from Highland Park High School in 1968. She attended Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa, earning a bachelor’s degree in history. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Washburn University while working in juvenile detention as a youth advisor. Sharon went on to earn her master’s degree in special education and became the first special education teacher at Plains Elementary School. Her career in education spanned nearly 30 years, teaching special education at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels in Kansas communities including Plains, Ness City, Lakin, and Deerfield, before retiring in 2013 from Garden City High School.
A defining moment in her early life was learning to swim at age 16. She later ran the city swimming pool every summer for almost 20 years. Known for her tireless work ethic, Sharon often juggled teaching, advocacy for “her kids”, managing the pool, teaching summer school, giving swimming lessons and water aerobics classes, and even cleaning the community bank at night.
On December 22, 1973, Sharon married David Neal at Highland Park Christian Church in Topeka, Kansas. Together they raised four children. Sharon loved experiencing new places and checking items off her bucket list. Some of her favorite memories were trips with her children and grandchildren to Chicago, the Bourbon Trail, Boston, New York City, and most recently, Maui. She also loved sunsets on the beaches of Anna Maria Island with a rum runner in her hand.
Following retirement, Sharon moved to Ohio and reunited with her college sweetheart, Steven Kendall. They were married on September 16, 2022. Together they enjoyed trips to the casinos, playing bingo, mingling at Coaches, traveling to Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, and Iowa, and splitting their time between Ohio in the summer and Florida in the winter. They also enjoyed many trips to Kansas and Arizona to spend time with her children and nine grandchildren. Sharon never knew a stranger, easily striking up conversations with fellow travelers, the ladies at the pool, her book club friends, and neighbors.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Dr. Max Wells. She is survived by her beloved husband, Steven Kendall; her children and their families: Andrea and Ryan Ardery and their children, Race (Adi), Jenera, Jade, and Rush (Pierceville); Brooke and Travis Jantz and their children, Emma (Holland, MI), Carter, and Maddie (Olathe); Megan and Brady Garren and their children, Jack and Jordi (Olathe); and Joe Neal (Olathe); her stepson, Alex Kendall (New York City); and her sister, Gayle Wells; niece, Dr. Katie George; nephew, Dr. Michael Wells; and niece, Molly Ospina Wells. Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.