Obituary: Paternoster

Sharen D. Paternoster, 80, Fairbury, died at 9:33 am Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

Sharen was born February 11, 1945 in Fairbury, IL the daughter of Loren and Dorothy Spencer French.  She married Phillip Paternoster on March 29, 1983 in Pontiac, IL.  He survives in Fairbury.

Other survivors include their children, Tammy (Eric) Simpsen, Normal, IL, Kim (Jeff) Schade, Shorewood, IL, Melanie (Russell) Houberg, Belleville, IL and Phillip J. Paternoster, Collinsville, IL, six grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one sister, Karen (Brian) Armstrong.

She is preceded in death by three sisters, Kathryn Davis, Janet Armstrong, and Lauren Sodeman and one brother, Greg French.

Cremation rites have been accorded by Duffy-Pils Memorial Home.  Currently no services are scheduled.  The family suggests memorials be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Sharen loved to sew and was a talented seamstress.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who enjoyed spending time and conversing with family and friends.  She will be greatly missed.