CNS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES, INC.

6417 Shelby 150, Suite A, Bethel, MO 63434-2111 Phone 660-284-6212 Fax 660-284-6320
www.heartland-ministries.org Email cnsmin@hlcommunity.org

FEBRUARY 1, 2017
BETHEL, MISSOURI Charles N. Sharpe, Jr., age 89, went home to be with the Lord on February 1,
2017 at 12:01am. Mr. Sharpe died at his residence in Bethel, Missouri. Mr. Sharpe had suffered from
declining health due to cardiac and renal issues.
Mr. Sharpe held many titles throughout his life including Pastor, President and Founder of Ozark
National Life Insurance Company, Marine, salesman, farmer, mentor and friend. But the accolade he
most desired to hear was heard early this morning from his Lord, Well done, good and faithful servant.
Born June 17, 1927, Mr. Sharpe was the son of Charles Norval Sharpe, Sr. and Lois Atha Byers Sharpe,
of Bethel, Missouri. As Pastor of Heartland Community Church and Founder of CNS International
Ministries, Pastor Sharpe is remembered by thousands of men, women and children for his passion to
help them get free from life-controlling behaviors through the Gospel. Starting with his familys original
600-acre homestead near La Belle, Missouri, he expanded into an 18,000 acre farm spanning three
northeast Missouri counties, largely to provide work for people in the recovery programs. Mr. Sharpe was
Chancellor of Heartland Christian College.
These ministries were assisted in large part by Pastor Sharpes business acumen and ownership of Ozark
National Life Insurance Company. Ozark National Life was founded by Mr. Sharpe in 1964 and remained
his pride and joy throughout his life, and many of his closest friendships and deepest loyalties were
forged there.
Mr. Sharpe was preceded in death by his parents,
his first wife, Wanda Fern Walker Sharpe, and his
son, Charles Rodney Sharpe. He is survived by his
wife, Laurie J. Emerson Sharpe, a tireless supporter
of the work and vision of Ozark National Life
Insurance Company, CNS International Ministries,
and Heartland Community Church where she
has served alongside her husband for 27 years. He
is also survived by his daughters, Linda Patchin
and her spouse Robert and Carol Boone and her
spouse Willard, and many grandchildren and great
grandchildren.
To borrow a passage from Scripture, these are the days of the years of Charles N. Sharpe, Jr. He breathed
his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
Visitation and funeral arrangements are pending. Updates will be posted online at:
www.heartland-ministries.org and www.facebook.com/heartlandmissouri