Sharlee Guster

Sharlee Staten Guster passed away on February 16, 2024. She was born in Delaware, Ohio on April 21, 1931 to George R. and Ruth Thomson Staten and spent her childhood in St. Louis, MO. Sharlee graduated from John Burroughs High School in 1949 prior to attending Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio (Class of 1953.) She excelled at sports, holding a high school high jump record for years, and playing field hockey, basketball and softball in college. She was elected to the OWU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1979, where her father had previously been inducted, becoming the first father/daughter honorees. Sharlee was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority where she made many lifelong friends.

In 1955, she married Richard (Dick) Guster, whom she met while he was attending law school and they became Akron residents. The family moved to Bath township in 1967, fulfilling a dream of renovating an old farmhouse and collecting antiques. She continued her athletic achievements, becoming Ladies Doubles Tennis Champion with her partner Alix Walker, at Portage Country Club. She also was the Ladies Golf Champion in 1989 at PCC. She volunteered at the professional golf events at Firestone Country Club for almost sixty years beginning in 1955. She developed a friendship with Arnold Palmer that lasted for decades. Sharlee loved her ten Airedales, many cats and several horses. She was a member of the Lauray Hunt with her daughter, Melissa. She enjoyed entertaining by hosting tailgate parties at Ohio State football games. She was also a talented seamstress and made fabulous couture garments.

Sharlee is preceded in death by Dick Guster her husband of 65 years, parents George and Ruth Staten, and sister Virginia Staten Scofield. She is survived by her children Melissa (Eric) Haney and Tim (Elaine) Guster, four grandchildren Evan Haney (Cassi) Bowen and Emma Haney, Thomson and Chelsea Guster.

Sharlee will be interred with her husband at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. A celebration of the lives of Sharlee and Dick will be held this summer.