Sheila Ann Unger of West Union dies at 60; funeral Thursday

Sheila Ann Unger, 60, of West Union, Ohio, died Friday, January 16, 2026 at home. Born July 9, 1965 in West Union, Unger was a lifelong Adams County resident whose family ties span West Union, Hillsboro, Peebles and Wilmington.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald Junior Stephenson and Judy Ann (Parker) Stephenson, by her daughter Robin Nicole Unger and by a sister, Rhonda Sue Thacker. Survivors named by the family include her son Rickey Nelson Unger; brothers Rodney Lee Stephenson and Kenny Ray Stephenson of Hillsboro and Ricky Gene Stephenson of Peebles; and sisters Kimberly Faye Adkins of West Union, Michelle Lea Reynolds of Wilmington and Joanie Mae Grooms of Hillsboro. She also leaves six grandchildren - Nicholas, Mikayla, Payton, Isabella, Emma and Kortney - and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral notice posted by Lafferty Funeral Home Incorporated lists a public visitation from 2 until 4 PM Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Lafferty Funeral Home in West Union, followed by a funeral service at 4 PM the same day with Pastor Jason Hayslip officiating. Lafferty Funeral Home is serving the family.

Local residents who remember Unger or who wish to offer condolences should contact Lafferty Funeral Home directly for the most current information and for the correct online condolence link; the funeral-home notice contained a printed web address that appears to have typographical errors. The office can confirm any last-minute changes to the schedule, and provide directions or guidance for sending memorials.

To avoid confusion with similarly named notices in national databases, this published notice pertains specifically to Sheila Ann Unger of West Union. It is not related to the obituary for Sheila Virginia Unger of Port Ewen, New York, who passed away February 6, 2021 at age 81 and whose career and family history are distinct and out of state. County funeral indexes also list other Unger entries, including an unrelated Joseph Lee Unger entry in one database.

For a tight-knit community like Adams County, the passing of a long-time West Union resident reverberates through extended family networks, schools, churches and workplaces. Tonight’s visitation and the funeral service bring that network together to mark her life and give neighbors a chance to support Rickey Nelson Unger and the wider Stephenson-Unger family during their loss.