He was born Sept. 6, 1939, in Topeka, the son of Roy Donald and Bessie Mae (Rogers) Sharkey.

A lifelong resident of the Lawrence area, Mr. Sharkey had been a railroad clerk for the U.S. Post Office, where he sorted mail on trains. He then served as a rural mail carrier in the Oskaloosa and Lawrence areas, retiring in 1994 after 35 years of service. He was also a farmer and raised beef cattle.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa, National Rural Letter Carriers Assn. and Jefferson County Historical Society. He served as corresponding secretary for Jefferson County Genealogical Society, where he was a longtime research volunteer. He was a board member of Hardy Oak Cemetery in Sarcoxie Township and had served in the Kansas National Guard.

He married Marilyn Jean Ward on March 6, 1976, in Lawrence. She survives of the home.

Friends may call after 1 p.m. Friday at Barnett Funeral Home, Oskaloosa, where the family will meet with friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.

The family suggests memorials to Jefferson County Genealogical Library or Jefferson County Historical Society for the “Wellman” School renovation. They may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 416, Oskaloosa 66066.