Sharon Hetzel

HETZEL, Sharon, age 86, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home with family on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Born on October 10, 1940, in Dayton, Sharon grew up in the community she would call home throughout her life.

To know Sharon was to remember her. She had a rare gift for making people feel welcome, valued, and genuinely cared for. Kind, bright, and never afraid to speak her mind, she had a special way of sharing her thoughts while always making room for others. She listened, cared, and made people feel that what they had to say mattered. Her warmth was infectious, her sense of humor unforgettable, and her presence; brightening the lives of those around her.

Sharon loved enjoying the time with the people she loved. She had a wonderful sense of style and beauty, both inside and out, and a personality that was every bit as memorable as her appearance. She was funny, spirited, entirely her own person. The friendships she built and the love she gave will continue to be felt for years to come.

Love and family were defining parts of Sharon’s story. Her marriage to her late husband, Dr. Thomas E. Hetzel brought two families together. Their shared life became part of a family legacy that continues through their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In the years following Tom’s passing, Sharon found a very special companionship and love with Thomas Blalock. Over the course of 20 years together, they created treasured memories, shared life with dear friends and beloved family, and found joy in the many special times together that made their lives even more meaningful.

Sharon also had a deep love for animals and a compassionate heart for those who needed a voice. She was a devoted supporter and advocate for SICSA and the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, giving countless hours to volunteering and fundraising. She also opened her heart and home to many four-legged friends, offering them the same affection and care that came so naturally to her.

Sharon’s legacy is not measured only in the years she lived, the families she raised, or the causes she supported. She was deeply loved, and she will be profoundly missed.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Thomas Hetzel; her daughter, Stephanie Hetzel; her stepdaughter, Lori Andersen; and her brother, Sherrill Raper.

She is survived by her son, Mark (Beth Harris) Hetzel; stepdaughter, Susan (Greg) Hallmark; grandchildren, Alixx (Drew) Smith, Sara (Chris) Maddox, Meggi (Jake) Matthews, Tommy Hetzel, Allison (Pete) Berard, Mellissa (Ryan) Feldman, Savannah Andersen Evans, and Erica Andersen; great-grandchildren, Jackson Doucett, Ruby Bass, Beckett Matthews, Lenny Maddox, and Gracie Matthews; her partner of 20 years, Thomas Blalock; former daughter-in-law, Tonya Hetzel; and numerous extended family members and dear friends.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, Ohio 45429, with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. A livestream of the service will be available through Routsong Funeral Home’s YouTube channel. Burial will follow at David’s Cemetery in Kettering.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to SICSA or the Humane Society of Greater Dayton in Sharon’s honor.