St. George, Utah – Sharman Lee Koerner, 51, returned to her Father in Heaven August 13, 2016. She was born March 9, 1965 to David and Wanda Koerner.

Sharman was born with Downs Syndrome and was not expected to live past the age of two but with a Priesthood Blessing and Divine Intervention she has been with us 51 years. Raised at home, she slowly learned to walk, feed herself, take care of her personal needs with some assistance, all things she was never supposed to be able to do. She could say a few words and learned a handful of sign language words but she communicated well in her own way.

She enjoyed family time, cooking with her Grandma Lucy attending school for the mentally handicapped and any time she could participate with everyone else.

In her 20's after her sisters and brothers left home and she no longer had school to attend, she began living in a group home setting operated by Washington County ARC and later by TURN Community Services. She enjoyed having something to go to and do every day at Dixie Advantages Development. She also loved going out to dinner, dances, holiday parties and sleeping in on Saturday and Sundays. She looked forward to visiting with family. The staff at TURN has become her second family and have cared and loved her for more than 25 years.

Sharman is survived by her father, David Koerner of St. George; sisters: Kaye May of Taylorsville, Rosalie Koerner of Orem and Valerie Duffy of St. George; and brothers: Dean Koerner of West Point, UT and Todd Koerner of Idaho Falls, ID.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bloomington Hills LDS 3rd Ward Chapel, 1222 East Brigham Road, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Friday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit our website www.metcalfmortuary.com .

The family wishes to thank all those who have been a part of Sharman's life and who have made her a part of theirs. We would especially like to thank TURN Community Services and Dixie Advantages Deveolpment for making her a part of their family and for the many years of care and love. We also like to thank IHC Hospice for their care and support of Sharman and our family. You helped make her passing peaceful.