In Memoriam: Armida T. Sharpin

Armida T. Sharpin

November 4, 1930 - February 17, 2026

Former science and math teacher, Armida (Meech) T. Sharpin died peacefully at home with dignity thanks to Dunes Hospice on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. She was 95 years old. She was born Armida Theresa Faupel to Gordon Evans and Evelyn (Vizena) Faupel on 3 November 1930, in Chicago, Illinois. A 1948 graduate of East Gary Edison, she married Lester B. Hasse Jr in 1950. After her divorce she earned her B.S. degree from Valparaiso University and took her M.S. degree from Illinois Institute of Technology. She married Clark Sharpin Sr. in 1970.

Clark, whom she loved dearly, preceded her in death in 1994. Her sister Alverissa (Albert) Miller and children: Nicolette (Denny) Sibo, Mark (Tammie) Hasse, Jeffrey Hasse, and Allison also preceded her in death. Surviving are her brother Phillip (Dionna) Artunian, and children Jeanette (Don) Friedman, and Ben Hasse.

She taught at Wheeler High School (64-67), Portage High School (68-70), and Westville High School (71-92) where her efforts at introducing students to computer skills and Boolean logic were ahead of their time. She was a long time member of Mensa, DAR, Colonial Dames, and the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. She touched many lives in Northwest Indiana and was constantly meeting former students during errands and trips from home.

Armida was a real friend of nature supporting many environment organizations through donations and, for a time, licensed to care for orphaned wild animals. Her interest in family history resulted in her authorship of five extensive genealogy compilations with proofs and references using an ingenious cataloging system whose copies can be found in the Valparaiso Public Library, Fort Wayne Public Library, New York City Public Library, the Library of Congress and in Canada. In her free time before her decline in health she could be found doing crossword puzzles, reading, and tending the many varieties of plants in and around her home or attending theatrical productions in Valparaiso and Chicago.