Sharla Jean Shoemaker Neale, loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, niece, and friend to many, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, 12 July 2024 of heart complications at her home in Taylorsville, Utah.
She was born on 12 April 1950 in the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, daughter of Kelsey Anderson Shoemaker and Bonnie Jean Hunsaker Shoemaker.
In 1955, her family moved from 7th West and 1st South in Salt Lake City to Draper, Utah, on what her family later called “Hunsaker Hill.” She attended Draper Park Elementary, Mt. Jordan Junior High, and Jordan High School.
Sharla enjoyed her growing up years in Draper, and made many friends in the city. She sang in a quartet with girls from Draper, and often mentioned the fun she had with them.
In the 1960s she received a stereo for Christmas and enjoyed her Beach Boys and Beatles albums, plus listening to many other popular singing groups and solo artists of the 60s and 70s. Music was an important part of her life.
Sharla married Paul Day, in Draper, Utah, on 8 November 1965. From this marriage was born a beautiful daughter; Michelle Day Walker. The family moved to California for a short time, before returning to Utah. Sharla and Paul later divorced.
Sharla worked as a receptionist for Kennecott Copper Division, at the Salt Lake City Kennecott Building. She also worked at a clothing store on the main street of Park City, as well as the old “Sounds Easy” store on 7th East in Sandy during the years of VHS tapes. She then became a customer cashier for two brokerage firms for 14 years, in Salt Lake City. In her later years she lived in Majestic Meadows Mobile Home Park in Taylorsville, Utah, and worked in the Majestic Meadows office handling various kinds of complaints from the 389 residents and enforcing the rules and regulations of the park.
Sharla was a very people-oriented person and loved working with the public. Her last employment was at a Holiday Oil station in Draper, Utah, where she was a faithful and friendly cashier for several years, creating numerous friendships with the regular customers who enjoyed her smiles and words of encouragement and wisdom.
She stayed close to her family connections, and enjoyed the annual Hunsaker, Walkenhorst, and Shoemaker Christmas Parties, and the many Jude Allen and Reuel and Zilpha Hunsaker Family Reunions held at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, and attending the Draper 24th of July Parades and sitting with her family friends. Sharla was a regular attender at the annual “Swiss Days” events in Midway, Utah, and enjoyed being there with her parents and Shoemaker family members. Through these family events, she became very bonded to her Walkenhorst and Hunsaker cousins, and was a wonderful aunt to her Shoemaker family.
Sharla loved to travel in Utah and the surrounding western states. She loved seeing the wildlife at Yellowstone National Park, or wherever wildlife would be encountered on her travels. She enjoyed living with and caring for her mother from 2000 to 2011, in her mother’s new home in Akagi Farms. The two of them enjoyed taking excursions to various parts of Utah, and enjoying good foods.
Her hobbies included colleting rocks for her rock gardens, planting flowers, experimenting with homemade Christmas gifts, tying throw blankets, and giving them as gifts, visiting friends in Mesquite, Nevada and Dubois, Wyoming, collecting arrowheads, and dabbling with bowling, golf, and skiing.
She enjoyed attending the “Adventure Church” in Draper, and it was here she nurtured a close and loving relationship with Jesus Christ. She spent much time reading the Bible and other religious books. Sharla was sensitive to the Spirit, and often felt prompted and inspired to do certain things and be at certain places. When recently asked who would be the first person she would want to see when she passed to the other side, she said “Jesus Christ!”
Sharla will be remembered for her smile, friendliness, and wonderful sense of humor and quick wit!
Sharla is survived by her brothers, Craig of Auburn, Washington, Todd (Laraine) of Draper, Utah, and Randy (Jill) of South Jordan, Utah. Also survived by her daughter Michelle Day (Shawn) Walker, and two granddaughters, Madison and Cortlyn Walker, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Sharla chose to be cremated when the time came and her ashes to be placed at the Larkin Sunset Gardens, near her parents. She did not want a formal funeral.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held in September, and the exact date, time, and place, will be made known to family and friends.
Guestbook/Condolences
Sharla was the nicest person we were lucky enough to run into at Chevron and get to know over the years. We always made it a point to go to her store because we knew she would be there and enjoyed sharing stories with her. She will be truly missed. Our condolences to the family.
This is such a lovely tribute to Aunt Sharla. I know she was lovingly greeted on the other side by her beloved parents. She will be missed—tremendously!! ❤️
I loved Sharla, although I did not get to see her as much as I would like to as I lived out of state. But when I did get to see her it was a grand reunion. She was always so sweet and nice to me and always told me how much she loved me. I know she will be well received in the Spirit World.
Sharla and I have been neighbors for the last several years. We had many long conversations about life and she was always so friendly and happy to be alive. We laughed and talked often. She was a good neighbor and friend, and I am so sorry that she's gone. My thoughts go to her beloved daughter, Michelle and husband Shawn and their daughters. Also to her brothers whom she truly loved.
May God comfort you all in this very sad time.
i loved seeing Sharla at cheveron , ive know her a few years great lady i will miss her RIP ,
I am so sorry for the loss of Sharla. I’ve known Sharla my whole life. Her and my mom, Gayle have been friends since the beginning of time. I’m deeply saddened and in shock at the news of her passing. She will be remembered with much fondness. Condolences to her family members she left behind. Rest in Paradide, dear friend.
I met Sharla a little over 4 years ago at the Holiday Oil she worked at. Little did I know, we’d become great friends over those years. She even knew my father, because he works at a store nearby. I visited her almost every day, and a conversation with her became my regular. This is heartbreaking to see that she has passed. Sharla touched the lives of so many. Every person that came into that store often, she knew them by name. She is such a caring and genuine woman, and she showed that by just being herself. I will dearly miss her being a part of my every day life. Rest easy, Sharla.
I worked with Sharla and she was the sweetest and spunkiest lady ever! Many customers love her, and I will miss her, dearly.
Sharla’s amazing presence will be missed. Always a smile, a wave, and great conversation to be had but her genuine love for people always stood out to me. My deepest condolences to all her family, friends, and the acquaintances she made feel special in this world. Rest easy, Sharla ❤️
Shayla was one of the best people I know. She was a joy every time I delivered fuel to her store and always anticipated a good scare from me. I’ll miss her smiling, happy face and fun attitude.
Sharla was a blessing to everyone that met her. A beautiful and loving friend. I will miss seeing her smiling face and getting a great big hug from her. Her family meant the world to her. She loved that we could talk about our faith in Jesus Christ. Her spunky spirit and lovely personality will never be forgotten. She loved and cared for so many people and they all loved her in return. Love you Sharla, I miss your bright spirit already my wonderful friend.
I was so sad to see the flyer if her passing in the holiday gas station window today. She was always so pleasant and a hard worker. I always enjoyed going into the gas station when she worked. I’m so sorry for your families loss