Merlin (Jim) Sharp

Funeral services for Merlin (Jim) Sharp, 82, of Knoxville, will be held Saturday, August
16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville. Interment will
follow at the Graceland Cemetery.
Family will receive friends on Friday, August 15th from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the
Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville. Memorials may be made in Jim’s name to the
Columbia Community Center.
Jim was born on February 24, 1943, to Lester and Rose (Brown) Sharp in Decorah,
Iowa. He was raised alongside two brothers, Duane and Gary, and attended Decorah
Schools before graduating from high school in 1962. Jim joined the Navy February 1963
and trained as Aviation Mechanic. Discharged in 1964 and served the reserves until
1968.
Jim met Sheryl Agan in 1965 and were married in 1966. Together they built a life full of
love and joy, spending most of their married life in Columbia and Indianola iowa. Their
59 years of marriage were filled with the blessings of family, friendship, and adventures.
Jim entered into a farming partnership with his father-in-law Duane Agan in 1967, in
1972 Chris and Craig Agan joined the partnership. Jim continued to farm until 2000
when he retired. But not one to sit, around he began hauling mail and cars, also working
for car dealerships moving cars around the Midwest. He also enjoyed golfing and
fishing.
Jims true loves were family and farming, hours prior to his passing he was asking about
the grandkids and talking corn and beef prices.
Jim passed away August 5, 2025, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Sherry Sharp; Sons: Barry (Colleen) Sharp and
Brent (Mary) Sharp; grandchildren: Clint (Addie) Sharp, Matt (Liz) Sharp, Rachael
(Jake) Hintz, Jake (Alyssa) Sharp, and Tanner (Mikayla) Sharp; great grandchildren:
Ryker, Asher, Emersyn, Maisie, Lennon, Gia, Ava, and Ellie; brother, Gary (Sue) Sharp;
along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents: Lester & Rose Sharp; in laws Duane &
Delores Agan and brother, Duane Sharp.