March 29, 2024

IN REMEMBRANCE

Mourners gather to share memories of the Sharp family during a candlelight vigil

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Hundreds gathered around the infield at VFW Field in Creston Sunday to mourn and to celebrate the lives of a Creston family that died while vacationing in Mexico last week.

“This is indeed a solemn occasion, but we hope that it’s also a celebration. A celebration of life, of new life,” said Rev. Delores Doench, who led the candlelight vigil in memory of the Sharp family. “I know there’s a lot of young people here, and they have questions about why does stuff like this happen? We don’t have an answer. All we know is that God is with us and will help us get through this.”

The Sharp family – Kevin, 41; Amy, 38; Sterling, 12; and Adrianna, 7 – were vacationing in Tulum, Mexico, last week and were to return to St. Louis Wednesday evening. When they did not text family members in Creston to let them know they were off the plane, family members began to worry.

When the family still had not heard from the Sharps by Thursday night, family members in Creston reported the Sharps missing to Creston Police Department.

After the U.S. State Department and Mexican authorities became involved in the case, the Sharp family was found dead in their rented condo. Mexican authorities announced Saturday night that autopsy results showed the family died from inhaling toxic gas.

The news shook the Sharp family’s hometown of Creston, leaving family members and friends with more questions than answers.

With many still struggling with how to deal with the loss, hundreds gathered Sunday in a show of support for family members at a candlelight vigil.

Relatives of the Sharp family thanked everyone in attendance for coming to the vigil, and following the vigil many in attendance embraced family members who were gathered near home plate on the ball field.

Sunday’s vigil was filled with emotions. There were tears and there were laughs as many shared memories of the Sharp family.

Demetrius Coleman, a sophomore at Southwestern Community College from St. Louis, shared how he looked at Sterling as a little brother.

“Every time we went to the Y and I would see him, he would have a goofy smile that would light up the world,” Coleman said. “Seeing him, even at SWCC basketball games, and I always take pictures at SWCC, he always asked me, ‘Can I take a picture?’ I told him I wouldn’t be able to because I’d get in trouble. All he wanted to do was take a picture. I just never got the chance to let him take a picture. That was one of the most hurtful things to me after I heard this. He’s like a little brother. He’s like family.”

Several of Sterling’s friends shared memories of him from playing together at birthday parties to working together as a team in athletics.

Amy was described by several friends during the vigil as being the organized one who kept everyone else in line. Speaking on behalf of the Creston High School class of 1997, Elizabeth Pryor said, “Without Amy, I don’t think we would have ever had any class reunions. She was one that always did everything for us. We are so sorry.”

Scott Driskell, Creston Community Elementary principal and lifelong friend of Kevin’s, told of their trips to Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, where they acted as “babysitters” for their fathers.

Chuck Hulett related the story of selling his race car to Kevin, as Kevin went on to become a fan favorite at Adams County Speedway in Corning.

“When he first came up to me, I was like, ‘Kevin, I don’t even know that you know how to change the alternator in your car. Why do you want to drive a race car?’” Hulett said. “After he bought it, I went over there every week for about a year and helped him. He caught on real quick. Kevin became one hell of a race car driver.”

Adrianna was described as being a great friend, with one friend recalling her best memory of Adrianna being that “she was always by my side” before giving Amy’s mother Beth Fry a hug.

Adrianna was involved with the Spotlight School of Dance and instructor Autumn Calahan said her laugh and her smile “lit up the whole studio.”

“She had this infectious energy that would radiate through everybody,” Calahan said. “If I was having a bad day or if anybody else was having a bad day, her smile and her energy could change all of that in a second. I remember a couple of weeks ago, she achieved one of her goals in class, and her determination, her drive to be better was so infectious as well, it made me want to go out there and do everything. I’ll always keep that spirit and I know all of us at the studio will, too.”

It was a strong show of support for a family grieving their loss.

“This family is so awesome,” said family friend Shellie Adams. “They would give you the shirt off their back. They would do anything for you. If there’s anything, anything you guys need, I’ll be the first one to step up. I bet all of these guys here will be standing behind me. We are here for you and I don’t know what else to say, but I love you guys.”