Sharon E. Skaggs
January 9, 1947 – January 8, 2016
Sharon Elaine Skaggs passed away unexpectedly in Salem, Oregon on Friday, January 8, 2016. Born to Ed and Marilyn Gossen on January 9, 1947, she lived a full life characterized by her service to others. Sharon grew up on a farm in South Dakota and, after graduating from Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon, financially managed The Double K Ranch, a non-profit organization providing alternative care to troubled teens in Washington State. From 1981 - 1991 she and her family lived in Cairo, Egypt serving the church community throughout Egypt. She was a loving caretaker and primary support for her late husband in his battle with cancer from 1988-1993. After his passing, Sharon continued serving others, working in missionary care through Global Missions (now Global Strategy) of Church of God Ministries in Anderson, Indiana. She served in many roles including Living Link Coordinator, Director of Personnel and head of Finance and retired in 2011, having served the organization and the greater church for 30 years. Sharon served on the Children of Promise Board of Directors for 15 years. She also served on the staff of Children of Promise for much of 2015. Even in retirement, Sharon was actively involved with the local food pantry and traveled internationally as a volunteer for Children of Promise. Sharon recently moved to Salem, Oregon to be closer to family. She had already begun to serve in another local food pantry and anticipated more international travels.
Sharon is preceded in death by her husband, Russell Skaggs, parents, Edwin and Marilyn Gossen and in-laws, Wilbur and Evelyn Skaggs.
She is survived by her son and wife, Byron and Jennifer Skaggs of Cairo, Egypt and daughter and husband, Jamie and Patrick Nachtigall of Badenweiler, Germany as well as three grandchildren, Jonathan and Aubrianna Skaggs, Marco Nachtigall, five sisters and brother, spouses, sister-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.
Occasions to celebrate the life and legacy of Sharon Skaggs:
Memorial Service: Saturday, February 6,1:00 pm at Mt. Scott Church of God, 10603 SE Henderson Street, Portland, OR
Memorial Service: Monday, February 8, 1:00 pm at Park Place Church of God, 501 College Drive, Anderson, IN; Visitation following in Bessie Byrum Lounge
Cards for the family may be sent to: 1416 Cunningham Ln S; Salem, OR 97302 USA
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial gifts to the organizations Sharon loved and to which she committed her own time and resources:
Children of Promise
P. O. Box 2316, Anderson, IN 46018 USA
Online giving: http://www.echildrenofpromise.org/
Park Place Church of God
Designate: Park Place Food Pantry
501 College Dr, Anderson, IN 46012 USA
Global Strategy, Church of God Ministries
Sharon Skaggs Memorial Contribution – for the sending of new missionaries
P.O. Box 2420, Anderson, IN 46018 USA
Online giving: https://cgm.formstack.com/forms/cgm_gm_single (drop down menu at bottom)