It was such a privilege to know Charlie Sharpe, as the founder and CEO of Ozark National Life, as the founder and spiritual driver behind Heartland (the community, the schools, the dairy/business, the church), as a speaker and teacher, as a man of deep faith, purpose and prayer. He had such a tremendous impact on my husband, I can’t imagine our lives without the legacy of this dear man. “Well done good and faithful servant.”
We will continue to pray for Laurie Emerson-Sharpe, and the other leaders of the businesses and ministries Charlie has left in strong, competent hands. His obituary gives you a glimpse of this whirlwind of a man who was successful in every area of life:

My husband Duke Dierks with Charles Sharpe

Charles N. Sharpe, 1927-2017

“With profound sadness, it is my unhappy undertaking to report the passing of our friend, founder and chief executive officer, Charles N. Sharpe, Jr.

Charles N. Sharpe, Jr., age 89, went home to be with the Lord on February 1, 2017 at 12:01 am. 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 C.N.S. 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 family’s 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 Sharpe’s 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.”