Sharon L. Dinges

Sharon L. Dinges, 78, Town of Corning, Lincoln County, passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Marshfield Medical Center – Marshfield.

Sharon was born on September 29, 1944, in Kenosha, WI to the late Floyd and Evelyn (Long) Hahn. While Sharon was working at Snap-On in Kenosha, her father Floyd introduced her to a witty young fellow employee, and soon the two were dating and on November 11, 1967, she married the late Edward “Ed” Dinges in Kenosha. He preceded her in death on June 13, 2003.

In May of 1984, Sharon and Ed moved from Kenosha, WI to Merrill after purchasing the former Country Inn in Corning. Although neither had owned or even worked in a restaurant before, they soon built a strong reputation for good food and friendly service with Sharon behind the bar and Ed working in the kitchen. After Ed’s unexpected passing, Sharon and her son Bill ran the restaurant for a few years before she semi-retired in 2006.

Although she claimed to be retired, Sharon still served as the ambassador each night greeting the customers, many of whom became like family to her, and performed her final inspection to make sure the bar was perfect for the next day.

Sharon was very active in the town of Corning, having served as its emergency fire warden for two decades; she was also a major part of the effort to raise the funds that helped form the town’s fire department in 1986. Sharon and Ed were both active members of the Lincoln County Tavern League, with Sharon serving as the league's secretary in their early years of running the tavern.

She enjoyed trips to the casino, following her grandchildren around to their many activities, watching TV and taking her usual stool in the bar each night in order to catch up with her many customers.

Survivors include her sons, Eddie (Pam) Dinges, Garrett (Amy) Dinges, and Bill (Marianne) Dinges, all of Merrill; and her grandchildren, Brendan (Alex), Alissa, Gavin, Taylor, Emily, Billy, Isabelle and Steven, all of Merrill. She is further survived by her sister-in-law’s, Wendy Barnett of Adams, Chris (Kerry) Raymond of Necedah and April Dinges of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and brother-in-law, Jerry Fridlington of Kenosha. Sharon was preceded in death by husband Ed; her parents, Floyd and Evelyn Hahn; granddaughter, Morgan Lynn Escherich; her sister, Judy (Rueben) Demske; her in-laws Edward Dinges and Marilyn Hoffman and her brother-in-laws, Mike (Barb) Dinges and David Dinges.

The Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 P.M., Noon, Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Merrill. The Rev. Justin Smoot will officiate. Burial will take place at Snow Hill Cemetery, Town of Scott. The visitation will be held on Saturday starting at 9:00 A.M. at the church.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to Merrill EMS, Corning First Responders, ER staff at Aspirus Merrill Hospital, MedEVac Air and the doctors and staff at Marshfield Medical Center – Marshfield, especially Dave her nurse who took such good care of her in her final hours.

The Taylor Stine Funeral Home is assisting the family, online condolences can be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com