Sharon Paynter-Cleaves, age 63, passed away Jan. 24, 2017 at Agrace Hospice Fitchburg.  Sharon was born June 14, 1953 to Robert and Glenda Arlene (Tagatz) Paynter. She attended grade school at the two-room Waldwick School and graduated valedictorian from Mineral Point High School in 1971.  She graduated from UW-Platteville with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration and received a graduate banking certification from the Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle, Wash.  She began her career working as a bank examiner with the FDIC and traveling throughout the country.  She then worked in accounting for private companies in Washington, DC.  Upon returning to Madison in 1989, she worked in accounting for various government agencies, ending her career just this past year with UW-Madison.
 Sharon met the love of her life Andy Carl Cleaves while attending the University.  They just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on Dec. 31, 2016.  Sharon loved painting, photography and music.  She shared her love of music by playing piano and organ for weddings, funerals and church services.  She taught piano lessons to adults and children, including her nephew, Tim, grandniece, Tian, and grandnephew, Dane.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Andy Carl Cleaves.  She is further survived by her sister: Nancy (Ron) Olsen; niece: Alissa (Nathan) Brooks and children Tian and Dane; nephew: Timothy Olsen; father: Robert Paynter; brothers: Craig Paynter and Thomas (Tammy) Paynter and children Dylan and Caelyn; nephew: Ryan (Candis) Paynter and children Keilea and Haylea; and aunts: Valda Ostby and Marion Howard; uncle: Paul Wilson; and many cousins.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Glenda Arlene Paynter, aunts: Eunice Wilson and Amy Page; and uncles: Sherman Ostby, Harvey Page, and Stanley Howard.
A visitation was held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 at Erickson Funeral Home (508 Main Street, Darlington).  A funeral service commenced at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  Burial was held at the County Line Cemetery, County Line Road, east of Waldwick following the service.  A celebration of Sharon’s life continued at the Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church (201 Church St., Brooklyn, WI 53521) at 2:00 p.m. Pastor George Kaminski of Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church officiated.  A luncheon was served at the church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church or Agrace Hospice (5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg WI, 53711).