Obituary
Sheila Suzanne Honig, 68, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri unexpectedly passed away on February 9, 2023, with her family at the bedside after a sudden stroke earlier in the week. Sheila was born in Centralia, Illinois December 27, 1954, to Ruby and Verne Hord, and grew up in Oak Grove, Missouri with her three siblings. As a child, she most enjoyed traveling to Webster, South Dakota and playing on their family farm with her siblings and cousins.
Sheila graduated from Oak Grove High School and attended the University of Missouri – Columbia where she met her husband, Ron Honig. She graduated with an English degree and got her master’s while Ron finished his engineering degree. On February 28, 1981, she and Ron were married at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Oak Grove, Missouri. Ron and Sheila welcomed their baby girl, Rachel, on December 16, 1992, and have lived in Lakewood for 41 years.
Sheila taught English at UMKC for over 40 years. She emphasized to her students and daughter that “sincere critical engagement” and education of any type were the “keys to the kingdom.” She was well read, articulate and observant. She was a dedicated Missouri Tiger sports and Kansas City Chiefs football fan. She loved traveling, spending time in coffee shops with Ron, and talking on the phone every evening with Rachel. She always knew how to make people feel included and consistently surprised us all with her dry sense of humor. All her family and friends, especially her adoring husband and devoted daughter, will lovingly remember her.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Shannon. She is survived by her husband, Ronald Honig; daughter, Dr. Rachel Honig Krakosky; son-in-law, Nick Krakosky; and her grandson, Alexander Krakosky, who will enter the world in the coming days. She is survived by her sister Marcy Hord; brother Bryan Hord; sister-in-law Dianne Hord; nieces Brooke Brooks and Amanda Dowler; great nieces, Kendall Brooks and Waylon Brooks; great nephews Jackson Dowler and Aidan Dowler; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Greg and Kimberly Honig; and cousins Colin Johnson, Lance Johnson and Deborah Canton.
Please join us for a visitation on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 10AM with a service to follow at 12PM at Langsford Funeral Home (115 SW Third Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063). After the service, there will be a Celebration of Life at the Honig home (4019 NE Woodridge Drive, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064) featuring Kansas City BBQ and Sheila’s favorite red wine. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Sheila Honig’s name to the American Heart Association or the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
“Love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark. To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever.” —J.K. Rowling
Condolences
Visitation
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Services
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
I met Sheila through a Yoga class in our community. She was fun to be around. My prayer will be for the family to feel God’s strength and love during this difficult time. We are going to miss her.
Our deepest condolences go out to all of you. Sheila sounds like she was an amazing woman and we are truly so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know.
-Kristen, Brandon, Halle, Blair and Meredith Yuan
Shawn and I are so sad to hear the news of Sheila’s passing. We always enjoyed seeing her around the neighborhood and I loved chatting with her about home decoration projects – both hers and ours. We will miss her so much! We send our heartfelt condolences to Ron and Rachel and the rest of the family.
Ron and Rachel,
We are just devastated to hear about Sheila. Rachel, she was so proud of you and you gave her great joy. That will last forever. She will be greatly missed and just know that we are thinking of you all and praying that you eventually find peace.
John and Kim Shrader
Ron and Rachel,
I am so sorry to hear about Sheila. She was such a wonderful woman who was always so kind and welcoming. I enjoyed our high school years spending the night over at your house and getting to know your mother. The tribute you made was perfect in describing her. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling especially at such a joyous time of life welcoming a new baby in the coming days. I hope you are able to find some peace. I’m thinking of you both. In your moms honor I will donate to the Make A Wish foundation. Sending all my love and thoughts your way. XXXX
-Payton Branch
I am so sorry to read this news. I didn’t know Sheila well but I did know that she was much loved by her students and that she will be missed terribly.
Sheila was the most dedicated, sincere, engaging teacher I ever worked with. She was student-centered before it was a thing. Sheila was an inspiration to students and faculty alike, always speaking positively, and always demonstrating genuine concern for the welfare of all members of the community. I will miss Sheila deeply, but I will do my utmost to sustain her legacy as a teacher. With best wishes and love for Ron, Rachel, and family.
We feel so blessed to have spent some time with Mrs. Honig when she would visit Rochester of the past four years. She was an eternal optimist, forever curious, and always welcomed us with a smile that made us feel like family. To us, she will always be a part of our Rochester, MN extended family. To the entire Honig family, we are holding you in our prayers and sending all of our love.
Katherine and Carl
Ron and Rachel, I wish I could be there in person, but will be sending prayers from Florida. Your family is one of my fond memories of the many years we were neighbors.
Her importance to our neighborhood and academic community is unmeasurable. She will be missed, but her influence will carry on.
Ron and Rachel
We are so sad to hear of Sheila’s passing! She always played such an active part in the girls activities. She helped make so many memories for the kids, whether it be through book club, soccer or school functions! Our hearts go out to you at this time!
Steve and Arden Powell
Ron, our deepest condolences to you and your family. Sheila was delightful and had a great sense of humor. She will be missed.
Dear Ron and Rachel, I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news of her passing. I admired Sheila since the first moment I met her. Her brilliant mind and unexpected dry humor always made for interesting and meaningful conversation. I have wonderful memories of our mother-daughter book club time together and the authenticity she always brought. She was truly a beautiful woman all around. Chanel, myself, Brittany and my mom are holding you in thoughts and prayers. ..MONIQUE
Ron, I am so very sorry about
Sheila. What a terrible loss for you and your family . I kind of wish it was cycling season. I don’t know…just so that we were with you beyond the service Sat. I am praying for strength for you.
Barbara
I met Sheila over a year ago at UMKC, where we taught in the same classroom, right after one another. Every morning I would look forward to crossing paths with her. She was a beautiful and very kind lady who was very supportive and smart. I am saddened to hear of her passing and I wish her family and friends much love and support during this very difficult time.
I met Sheila when I started working in the English department about a year ago. Her coming into the office to print or say hi was always a highlight of my day. She was so funny and fun to talk to, and it was clear from our conversations that she cared so much about her students. We had a lot of conversations about what teaching was like in the current day, with so many changes in technology over the last few years, because she was so dedicated to making sure she created the best possible learning environment for her students. The English office is sending lots of love to her family, and we’ll miss her very much.
Ron,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Sheila. Words can’t begin to comfort you as much as Jesus arms wrapped around you can, as you mourn. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Vicki (Honig) and Rod Woebbecke
I knew Sheila as a teaching colleague. I would see her somewhat regularly at the Roasterie Coffee Shop at Brookside and 63rd revving up for morning classes — same as me. Much enjoyed our exchanges and laughs, and am so saddened by her death.
Ron,
Reading about you wife made me feel like I knew her. She was clearly a vibrant and wonderful person and great companion to you. I’ll raise a glass tomorrow evening in her honor with my loved ones. My heartfelt condolences to you and Rachel.
Steve
My friendship with Sheila was a blessing. I knew her for over 25 years. Sheila’s wit and ability to challenge others to practice critical thinking helped define her as both a teacher and a friend. Her life observations and literary critiques were always astute and interesting. I am eternally grateful that she helped edit my book. Sheila will always remain with me as a feeling of a wise comforting glow. I am grateful to call her my friend.
As a neighbor who quickly grew to be a dear friend, Sheila was a presence in our lives almost daily. Whether just a quick wave or enjoying an hour-long driveway chat, we were so thankful to have her next door. From the very first moment we met her we learned just how much she treasured her family, her students, her books, and her Tigers! We are beyond blessed to have known her and will miss her dearly.
All Our Love,
Chance, Jessica & Tate
Rachel, Ron, and the whole family,
Sending all our love to you during this time. We are so thankful to have met Sheila through our extended family ties and hope you know that you’ve got Barnard support from all over the world!
In honor of Sheila we’ve donated to the AHA and please know we’re here for anything you need.
– The Barnards
It was my honor to be asked and to lead Sheila’s service at Langsford Funeral Home. I consider Ron and Sheila good friends who always filled me with great conversations over the years at our respective coffee shop where I always felt respected, safe, included and cared for. I know Sheila was adored and loved by her family and many, many friends and colleagues. She will be leaving a great void in so many lives. Fortunately, she has left her mark of love and devotion to all those whom she knew and cared for. May that same love, strength and mercy attend the Honig family and their friends for all the days and years ahead.
Our heartfelt condolences on this great and untimely loss of Sheila. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. She will be greatly missed.
To all Sheila’s friends and loved ones, I offer my most sincerely felt condolences at this great loss. While I knew Sheila mostly through her brother Brian (one of my little brother John’s friends, who was frequently at our house), I have memories of her warmth and goodness. I loved reading about her amazing accomplishments in academia, and the loving circle of friends and family who surrounded her in life, as well as during her final days. May her beautiful soul rest now and forever in heavenly peace….
My heartfelt sympathy to Shelia’s family. I just learned of her passing from the Oak Grove High School reunion. I grew up knowing Shelia and graduated with her in 1973. She was always kind, friendly and fun to be around. I visited the farm on a few occasions and will never forget that Brian had a mountain lion there! I would occasionally run into her at the grocery store as we both lived in Lakewood. It was always great to see her and catch up. She never aged and was a natural beauty. Gone way too soon. RIP sweet Shelia.