Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sharon Ann Senefeld (later Sharon A. Ilkin) |
| Birth | Around 1956, United States |
| Death | February 6, 2012, at age 55, Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania |
| Cause of Death | Breast cancer after an eight-year battle |
| Marriage | Married Tunch Ilkin on April 24, 1982 |
| Children | Tanner (born ~1986), Natalie (born ~1989), Clay (born ~1991) |
| Notable Moment | Featured on November 28, 1977, Sports Illustrated cover with Larry Bird |
| Interests | Gardening and plants |
Early Years and Iconic Spotlight
Sharon Senefeld emerged like a comet, eternally imprinted in sports history. Born about 1956, her loving American family encouraged her enthusiastic endeavours. Sharon found her canvas at Indiana State University in the 1970s, cheerleading. She enthusiastically supported the Sycamores, reflecting the era’s youth.
November 28, 1977, marked her pinnacle of unintended fame. Gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated alongside basketball prodigy Larry Bird and fellow cheerleader Marcia Staub, Sharon embodied collegiate zeal. The photo captured a moment of pure exuberance—pompoms raised, smiles wide—symbolizing Indiana State’s rising athletic profile. Yet, this spotlight proved ephemeral. Sharon didn’t chase celebrity; instead, it illuminated her path to a deeper, more personal narrative.
During Christmas break that same year, fate intervened. She met Tunch Ilkin, an ISU football player whose Turkish roots added an exotic layer to their budding romance. Their connection sparked quickly, blending her cheerleading grace with his gridiron grit. This encounter set the stage for a life far removed from headlines, one rooted in quiet devotion.
Marriage and Family Bonds
Sharon’s world revolved around family, a sanctuary she built with unwavering care. On April 24, 1982, she married Tunch Ilkin, transforming from Senefeld to Ilkin. Their union spanned three decades, a testament to shared values amid life’s tempests. Tunch, born September 23, 1957, in Istanbul, immigrated young and carved a stellar NFL career as an offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1980 to 1992. Pro Bowl selections in 1988 and 1989 highlighted his prowess, later transitioning to broadcasting until his 2021 death from ALS.
Together, they settled in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, a suburban haven where Sharon flourished as a homemaker. Their children arrived in succession: Tanner around 1986, Natalie near 1989, and Clay about 1991. By 2012, these offspring—then 26, 23, and 21—stood as young adults, their lives shielded from public scrutiny. Sharon poured her energy into motherhood, nurturing them like tender shoots in her beloved garden.
Her parents anchored this familial web. Father Tom Senefeld predeceased her, while mother Marge Senefeld remained a pillar in Upper St. Clair, evolving into a doting grandmother. Brother Jeff Senefeld, also local in 2012, completed the immediate circle, though his details fade into privacy’s veil. Tunch’s parents, unnamed in records, became in-laws, weaving cultural threads into the tapestry.
No extended kin surface in narratives, underscoring the Ilkins’ tight-knit focus. Sharon’s role? The steady heartbeat, supporting Tunch’s demanding career while fostering home’s warmth. Gardening emerged as her passion—plants thriving under her touch, a metaphor for her life’s quiet cultivation.
Battle with Illness and Lasting Strength
Around 2004, shadows encroached. Sharon faced a breast cancer diagnosis, embarking on an eight-year odyssey of courage. She confronted treatments with resilience, her spirit unbowed. Obituaries paint her as inspirational, her grace amid suffering a beacon for loved ones. This period tested family bonds, drawing them closer.
February 6, 2012, brought her passing at home, age 55. Survived by Tunch, children, Marge, and Jeff, her loss rippled through communities. Tributes flowed, emphasizing her nurturing essence. Tunch’s own ALS battle from 2020 culminated in his September 4, 2021, death, compounding the family’s grief. Yet, their story endures through remembrances, a narrative of love prevailing over adversity.
Public Echoes and Recent Tributes
Sharon’s legacy whispers rather than roars, tied to that 1977 cover and familial devotion. Not a career woman in public eyes, she lacked professional accolades or financial disclosures. Her contributions? Invisible yet profound, bolstering Tunch’s achievements while prioritizing home.
Recent years revive her image. In May-June 2024, a mural in Terre Haute, Indiana, at The Copper Bar immortalized the Sports Illustrated scene. Her unnamed sister expressed that Sharon would feel “humbled and honored,” a nod to her ISU roots and marriage. This artwork evokes nostalgia, blending her cheerleading days with life’s full arc.
Social media amplifies these echoes. Posts from 2014 to 2024, often around November 28, share the cover with affection—users confessing crushes or ISU ties. Tributes link her to Tunch’s passing, bittersweet homages to a couple’s enduring partnership. No active accounts bear her name; mentions are posthumous, preserving her privacy.
As 2025 unfolds, no fresh developments emerge. Her memory lingers in sports history and family lore, a subtle thread in broader tapestries.
Chronological Milestones
Sharon’s life unfolds in a timeline of pivotal moments, blending personal joys with public glimpses.
| Year/Period | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ~1956 | Birth | Sharon Ann Senefeld enters the world, setting roots for a vibrant youth. |
| 1970s | College Era | Attends Indiana State University; shines as a cheerleader. |
| November 28, 1977 | Magazine Cover | Features on Sports Illustrated with Larry Bird, capturing national attention. |
| Christmas 1977 | Meets Tunch | Sparks romance with future husband during university break. |
| April 24, 1982 | Wedding | Marries Tunch Ilkin, beginning a 30-year partnership. |
| ~1986 | First Child | Tanner Ilkin born, expanding the family. |
| ~1989 | Second Child | Natalie Ilkin arrives, adding joy. |
| ~1991 | Third Child | Clay Ilkin completes the trio. |
| 1980s–2000s | Domestic Life | Supports Tunch’s NFL and broadcasting roles; indulges in gardening. |
| ~2004 | Health Challenge | Diagnosed with breast cancer, begins enduring fight. |
| February 6, 2012 | Passing | Dies at 55, leaving a legacy of strength. |
| 2012–2021 | Family Remembrances | Tunch’s ALS diagnosis and death in 2021 deepen tributes. |
| May-June 2024 | Mural Unveiling | Honored in Terre Haute artwork, evoking pride. |
| 2025 | Continued Memory | Social nods preserve her story without new chapters. |
This framework highlights her journey’s rhythm—peaks of fame, valleys of struggle, all harmonized by love.
Family Profiles in Depth
Delve deeper into kin. Tunch Ilkin, the anchor, blended immigrant drive with athletic excellence. His 13-season Steelers tenure yielded 2 Pro Bowls, followed by broadcasting charisma. ALS claimed him at 63, but his influence persists.
Children remain enigmas. Tanner, eldest at 26 in 2012, navigates life privately. Natalie, 23 then, embodies the only daughter’s grace. Clay, youngest at 21, rounds the siblings, their paths untold.
Marge Senefeld, the matriarch, offered steadfast support. Jeff, the brother, shares sibling solidarity, his story veiled. Together, they form Sharon’s constellation—stars aligned in quiet orbit.
