Sarah E. Cearns

Sarah E. Cearns, 76, of Willshire, completed the race when she passed through heaven’s gates at 12:41 p.m. Saturday, August 4, 2012, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne, Ind. There was “a great cloud of witnesses” present as Sarah’s family and friends observed her finish in Christ’s arms.

The world was first blessed by Sarah’s presence on May 27, 1936, when she was born to George and Eva (Lyons) Cleckner in Youngstown. They preceded her in death, along with nine siblings. She is survived by her older sister, Faith Hilbig of Covina, Calif., and younger brother Dale (Judy) Cleckner of Monticello, Fla.

Sarah’s greatest legacy is her beloved family: her husband of 51 years, James R. Cearns of Willshire; their three children: Paul J. (Diana) Cearns of Convoy, Gary S. (Chris) Cearns of Pleasant Mills, Ind., and Susan J. (Brian) Wolfe of Decatur, Ind.; their seven grandchildren, Sarah, Shalynn, Cody, Courtney, and Cameron Cearns, and Zachary and Alison Wolfe; and their great-grandson, Jaxson James Case.

Also celebrating Sarah’s victory is her local church family at Willshire’s Countryside Nazarene Church.

She graduated near the top of her class in 1954 at Youngstown’s Chaney High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in social work at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Mass., in 1957, where she was a proud member of the ENC debate team. She was inducted into “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.” She quickly became a true public servant as an employee of the American Red Cross and currently at Brumback Library in Van Wert.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 8, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Carol Evans officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.

Calling hours are from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 7, and an hour prior to services Wednesday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Countryside Nazarene Church.