Mary Lou McCracken, Madison, passed away on Saturday, October 6, 2018.
Mary Lou was born on July 5, 1934 in Sharon, Pa. to James and Marie McCracken. She is survived by her husband Dr. Al Sharon and her siblings, Joyce (Bob) Bortner, Judy McCracken, Sandra (Steve) Gurgovits, James (Gayle Procario) McCracken, and Margaret McCracken. Many loving nieces and nephews survive: Robert, Jr., Christine, Kathy, Stephen, Jennifer, Monica, James, Jr., Corey, Robbie, R.J., Nikaya, Cooper, Jack, Ben, Charli, Autumn and Nathaniel.

She also leaves her stepchildren Michael (Lisa) Sharon, Laura (Ed) Eppler, John (Kyung) Sharon and their children, Will, Allie, Craig, Paul, Henry and Olivia.

Mary Lou held degrees from Allegheny College, Kent State ( M.Ed.) and Akron Universities. She also did additional studying in Russia, England, and at the University of California at Berkley. She was a teacher of eighth grade American history and government for 37 years in the Madison School District. Additionally, she mentored teachers and designed curriculum with the Auburn Career Center. She considered one of her greatest accomplishments to be instilling the love of history in her young students, using innovative techniques to have them experience and “live” history. Many students confirmed that success to her, always adding their thanks. A special highlight of her teaching career was the selection of her student, Darci Faulkner, as a Presidential Scholar, entitling them both to travel to Washington to receive awards as student scholar and distinguished teacher.

Mary Lou was re-elected as a Madison Township Trustee for a total of 12 years. She also served as a board member of the Madison Fire Dept. during that time. As a trustee she worked with Madison Village to build the Madison Senior Center, then served for five years on the Center board. She worked with Rep. Steve LaTourette to buy and save Stanton Park and the Rabbit Run Theater. She was instrumental in expanding recreational opportunities, such as in-line skating and improved athletic fields, and helped to bring to fruition a sewer line on North Ridge Road, saving some local businesses. She aided in establishing Lakeland Community College as a Madison branch. She helped acquire grants for Madison police and fire for added protection, full-time fire fighter positions and school resource police officers.

She was a founding member of the Madison Education Association and held office as president of that teachers’ group for many years. She was a lifelong member of the Ohio Education Association and the National Education Association, attending many of their conventions. Mary Lou served as a commissioner of the Lake County Public Defender’s Commission for 25 years and two terms as a board member of the Madison Chamber of Commerce. She was appointed Foreman of the Lake County Grand Jury for a three -month term, was a founding member of the Pride in Madison Community Group, a member of the Madison Recreation Board and the board of directors of the Western Reserve Fine Arts Association.

On the national scene, she was elected three times as delegate or alternate to the Democratic National Conventions.

Mary Lou loved travel, opera, genealogy, casinos, reading, computers, Facebook, the Cleveland Cavaliers, PGA golf and performing community service. She will be deeply missed by her family, students and many friends.

Family and friends will be received from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at the Behm Family Funeral Home, 26 River Street in Madison. Funeral Service will take place at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with burial immediately following at North Madison Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions in Mary Lou’s name be made to the Madison Food Center, 1954 Hubbard Road, Madison, OH 44057.

Obituary and guestbook at www.behmfuneral.com