Sharon Kay (Wilhelm) Delph

Sharon Kay (Wilhelm) Delph, 86, of Carmel, Indiana, passed away on June 8, 2024. She was born on August 25, 1937, in Frankfort, Indiana, to parents, Howard R. Wilhelm and Evelyn C. (Clark) Wilhelm. 

Sharon graduated from Shortridge High School in 1955 in Indianapolis, IN and lived with her parents near Riverside Park. She attended Indiana University for one year before leaving campus and marrying David William Delph in 1956. Even though the couple eventually divorced, they maintained a strong, friendly relationship for their four sons. 

Sharon became a bank teller at First Indiana Savings and Loan at their old Nora branch, later moving to the Carmel branch and advancing her career to the former Westfield office. She was a mother to four sons, whom she carted to practice, choir, and games throughout their childhood and teen years. She opened her home to their friends and families, serving as home base to endless summer games of flashlight tag. 

Sharon was extremely grateful for the coaches and mentors in Carmel that taught her sons how to pitch, hit, shoot, tackle, block, catch, sing, and dance. She was equally grateful for all her neighbors and friends who invested so much time into her sons. Sharon loved the Indianapolis Colts and had season tickets with her mom at the Hoosier Dome, Section 101, Row 26, Seats 1&2. 

Sharon was an Elvis fanatic and loved listening to his music in all seasons. Her son Mike later recorded “My Happiness,” for his mom, which is the first recording Elvis made for his own mother. She loved her dogs and cats, particularly her dogs Oscar, Barkley, Jenny, Heidi, Fluffy, and Lassie. Her love of dogs came from her dad, Howard, who bred Dalmatians at their Carmel home on Pebblebrook Lane. 

Sharon had many adventures, too many to retell here, with each one of her sons. She loved her family. She attended Orchard Park Presbyterian Church in Carmel, IN and loved singing her favorite hymn, “Amazing Grace.” Her favorite Bible passage was the 23rd Psalm. 

Sharon was an only child and is survived by her four sons, Jamie (Cindy) Delph, Stephen Delph, Michael (Beth) Delph, John (Becky) Delph; 10 grandchildren, Brittany, Courtney, Abby, Evelyn, Isaiah, Anna, David, Emma, Eliana, and Lilly; and 5 great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Gabby, Connor, Teddy, and Penelope, with one baby girl on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents and ex-husband. Sharon will be buried next to her mom and dad, whom she adored, at the Oaklawn Cemetery.

Visitation for Sharon will be from 5-7pm on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel (325 E. Carmel Dr., Carmel, IN 46032). A funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at Flanner Buchanan – Oaklawn (9700 Allisonville Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46250). Burial will be private after services on Thursday.