A funeral service for Karen Sue Sowards-Sharrer, 43 of Newark will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 13, 2008 in the Newark Chapel of Vensil-Orr & Chute Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Myers officiating. Burial will be in Hanover Cemetery. Karen passed away Tuesday morning at her home. She was born June 19, 1964 in Newark to the late Ray E. Sowards and Dorothy G. Reed. Karen had worked as a legal secretary. She will be fondly remembered as a loving mother and wife. She is survived by her husband, James M. Sharrer, whom she married July 12, 1998; daughters, Krista Flanagan, Amanda Flanagan, Alisha Flanagan, all of Newark; step daughter, Brooke Sharrer of Chicago, Ill.; step sons, Brandon Sharrer, Matthew Sharrer, Marty Kurtz, Michael Sheck, all of Newark; a half brother, Robert Foster, Jr. of Newark; special nieces who were loved as daughters, Misty (Tony) Van Pelt of Jacksonville, Fla., Marcie (Ned) Coangelo of Heath, Tamer (Daryle) Rousseau of Dry Ridge, Ky; and grandchildren, Kayleigh, Nikki, Tyler, Austin, Torianna, Skylar, Giovanna, and a grandson expected in November. In addition to her parents, Karen was preceded in death by a sister and two infant brothers. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, 1850 W. Main Street, Newark. Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, P.O. Box 430, Newark, OH 43058-0430. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.