Sharon "Sherry" Miller

Sharon "Sherry" Miller was a passionate, strong and caring lady, who loved her family and her God. She selflessly gave much of her time and talents to others, especially her beloved family. Throughout her life, Sherry was a model of devotion and love, and illuminated and touched many lives. 1939 was a tumultuous year for many worldwide. After enjoying an all too brief period of peace following World War I, many watched in terror as Germany invaded Poland, thrusting the globe into World War II. Despite the threat of war, Howard and Ella (Wilbur) Simpson of Muskegon, Michigan, had reason to celebrate. On August 7, 1939, they were overjoyed with the birth of their daughter, Sharon, who was called Sherry by family and friends. Along with her two brothers, Dennis and Brian, Sherry enjoyed a happy childhood growing up in Muskegon. She had many friends and loved to spend her leisure time playing with them. Sherry's father earned a living working at Continental Motors, while her mother worked a variety of jobs, including as a waitress, a Beauty Counselor Agent, an antique dealer and in the paper mill. Sherry received her education at Marquette Elementary, Orchard View Elementary, Muskegon Heights Central School and graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1957. As fate would have it, Sherry met a motorcycle riding bad boy named Darell Miller on a blind date. They went on a winter hayride and romance was certainly in the air that night. The couple was married on November 28, 1958, at Sacred Heart Church in Muskegon Heights. Darell was in the military at the time they were married, so the couple made their first home together in Army housing in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. While stationed here, the couple welcomed the birth of their first two children, sons Mike and Mark. Since their living quarters were so small, baby Mike slept in a laundry basket close to his parents. When Darell's military tour was over, his brother, Garth, and his wife, Pat, and Sherry's younger brother, Brian, all drove out to Clarksville, Tennessee to bring them home. Once home, Darell and Sherry bought a two-story wood house on Riordan Street, that had a big front porch and a laundry chute that the kids loved to play hide and seek in. It was also here that the couple completed their family with the births of three daughters, Michelle, Mary and Monica. Many pets came and went however eventually, a furry, four-legged pet named Dagmar, became the family favorite and was with them for many years. Sherry loved being a mother and was always very involved in her children's schooling and other activities. From being a Leader for Boy and Girl Scouts, participating in the Little League programs and volunteering her time and talents making banners for the St. Catherine's church and parent/teacher organization, Sherry's passion was to support her family. Time together was always important, and they made many great memories on their trips to the Mackinaw Bridge, Niagara Falls and Tahquamenon Falls, as well as lots of camping and canoeing adventures and dip net fishing at Crockery Creek. The family of seven also packed into their car and drove to Florida to visit Darell's family a few times. Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Sherry occasionally worked outside the home. She worked a variety of jobs, including as a secretary at Brunswick, sorting apples and selling Christmas trees. Sherry was always a dedicated and hardworking employee, so much so that when she was sorting apples, she lost her gold tooth and wouldn't retrieve it for fear she would look like a slacker. Sherry was also involved in several community groups and volunteered at the Muskegon County Library. She was a member of the local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Muskegon Support Help Advocacy Information Referral (SHAIR), and was instrumental in developing and maintaining this organization's library. Sherry particularly chose this group because she had family members with mental illness and she wanted to learn and understand everything about it and how she could help. One of Sherry's greatest passions later in life was working on the Genealogy of her family. This led her to be a member of the National Genealogical Society and served as a National President. Sherry was so incredibly good at this task that she traced her family lineage back at least ten generations and was an authority on facts about the Civil War. After becoming a certified Genealogist, Sherry began helping others find their long lost loved ones and establishing lineages. As a couple, Darell and Sherry participated in several Catholic Cursillo Movements, in which they had a three day opportunity to grow in their relationship with Christ and commune with fellow Catholics. Sherry was also deeply involved with the Catholic RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for the St. Thomas parish, and sponsored adults that wanted to convert to the Roman Catholic faith. Aside from genealogy, Sherry had many hobbies she enjoyed. She was a fabulous gardener and every spring her garden was adorned with beautiful flowers and she planted her vegetables for the summer harvest. Her family loved the fresh vegetables at every meal during the summer. Sherry also canned much of her bounty for later use. A wonderful cook, Sherry could whip up a delicious meal for her family, or feed a whole group. Often times she made everyone's favorite, her famous homemade tacos. After dinner, hours were spent together around the kitchen table playing games. She made every holiday special and always put her own special touch on each event. That was certainly not the end of Sherry's talents - she was a very creative lady and had a real artistic eye. She could ceramic, macram` and decoupage like nobody's business. Above all else, though, Sherry loved to be surrounded by her family, and loved spending her time being a wife, mother and grandmother to the people who brought her life extraordinary joy. She leaves behind a legacy of love, which her family will never forget. Sharon "Sherry" L. Miller, age 67, of Ravenna, MI, died Friday, December 15, 2006. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Darell; 2 sons: Mike (Kathy) Miller and Mark Miller, both of Muskegon; 3 daughters: Michelle Miller of TX, Mary (Steve) Hayes and Monica (John) Kennedy, both of FL; 13 grandchildren: Melissa, Melanie, Michael, Miranda, Molly, Matthew, Jessica, Ruth, Luke, Madison, Jonathan, Collin and Ella; 1 great granddaughter, Katrina; 2 brothers, Dennis (Ann) Simpson of Grand Rapids, Brian (Sharyl) Simpson of Whitehall; several nieces and nephews. Sherry was preceded in death by her grandson, Paul. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Fr. Phil Sliwinski officiating. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery. Friends may visit with Sherry's family on Monday, December 18, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon, with a Scripture Service at 6:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the NAMI Muskegon SHAIR. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Sherry or sign the online guest book.