Sharon Gail Dunn

Sharon Gail Dunn of Republic, passed away on Sept. 8, 2026. She was born on Oct. 23, 1939, in Billings, to Lloyd & Winona Utke, and would have turned 87 next month. She was the oldest of four children.
She was very accomplished in school and was Valedictorian of her class. She enrolled at SMS (Missouri State) and pursued a BS degree in Education. It was during her time at SMS that she met the love of her life, Elvin Dunn. They dated for three years while attending SMS and were joined in marriage in 1961. She always had a love for the Spanish language, and after graduating from SMS she went to Norman, Okla. to study Spanish. She and Elvin were able to drive down to and through Mexico, fulfilling one of her dreams. After marriage, they sought out the perfect place to raise their family and settled on 40 acres north of Republic. It was there that they raised their three children. Sherri Lynn,Kevin Douglas and Craig Elvin. 
She started her teaching career at Jarrett Jr. High in Springfield and eventually was hired on by the Republic School District. While working full time and raising her three children, she obtained her Masters of Education from SMS. For over half of her career, she was known as Mrs. Dunn, the typing and shorthand teacher. However, late in her career she became known by the students as Senora Dunn, as she became Republic's high school Spanish teacher. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Republic since 1969.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Elvin Dunn, daughter Sherri Lynn Drain, nephew Mark Wolford, niece Kara Dunn, nephew Brent Schooley, and parents Lloyd and Winona Utke. 
She is survived by sons Kevin Dunn of Los Angeles Calif., Craig Dunn and wife Tricia of Republic, four grandchildren; great grandson; sisters Linda Dunn of Rogersville, Diana Wolford and husband Tom of Olive Branch, Miss.; brother David Utke of Billings; sister-in-law Norma Matthews and husband Richard of Rogersville. 
In lieu of flowers, family has asked that donations be made to either First Baptist Church of Republic, or Wycliffe Bible Translators.