Sharon (Smith) Zuhlke

A graveside service for Sharon (Smith) Zuhlke, 82 of Katy, Texas will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, July 9, 2025 from the Melrose Cemetery, Melrose, New Mexico with Rev. Tyler Eanes officiating. Visitation hours will be Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 1pm to 6pm at the Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

Sharon (Smith) Zuhlke was born September 9, 1942 in Clovis, New Mexico the daugher of J.D. and Virginia Katherine (Hightower) Smith. She passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Caydance Assisted Living in Katy, Texas.

Sharon grew up in Melrose where she attended school graduating with the Melrose High School Class of 1960.She married Richard Julius Zuhlke on April 14, 1962 at the United Methodist Church in Las Cruces, NM.

Sharon worked for many years as a Civil Service administrative assistant with the U.S. Navy and Internal Revenue Service both in Houston,TX. She retired after 20 years of loyal service in September 1994.

Her pastimes were reading, watching T.V. crime shows, arts and crafts. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and made many blankets and pot holders for her family. 

Sharon was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. Her family meant the world to her. She especially enjoyed all the time she spent with her grandchildren.

Sharon is preceded in death by her husband Richard Julius Zuhlke in 2006, two sons Richard "Ricky" Allen Zuhlke in 2011, Ronald "Ron" Charles Zuhlke in 2024, daughter-in-law Melody Dawn Blackstock in 2025, and a sister Cleaun Newman in 2025.

Survivors include a daughter, Laurie Katherine (Zuhlke) Varner, and two grandsons Reece Morgan Varner, and Logan Keith Varner of Katy, Texas. Her siblings Dick Smith of Houston, TX, Jimmy Dale Smith of Melrose, NM, Randal "Butch" Smith of Melrose, NM, and Kay Provincio of Las Cruces, NM. Also surviving are a host of other relatives and many friends. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.