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Scott Sharda

January 29, 1977 - October 6, 2020
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, October 8, 2020
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
LaGrave Ave Christian Reformed Church
107 LaGrave Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-7204

Masks and social distancing required.

Map
Web Site

Visitation

Thursday, October 8, 2020
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
LaGrave Ave Christian Reformed Church
107 LaGrave Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-7204

Masks and social distancing required

Map
Web Site

Private Family Service

Friday, October 9, 2020
12:00 PM EDT
Live Stream

Live Stream link will be available at 11:30 AM on Friday

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Scott Sharda Children's Education Fund C/O Macatawa Bank
PO Box 3119
Holland, MI 49422-3119

You may mail or drop off a check or cash to any Macatawa branch. Just reference the Scott Sharda Children's Education Fund.

Life Story / Obituary


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All who knew Scott Sharda would agree that he had an insatiable zest for life that was contagious to all who were near. He served others tirelessly and loved his family and friends without condition, and he was always willing to help someone in need in ways both great and small. There was no greater gift in his life than his family, and he loved nothing more than being a husband and father. Dearly loved, Scott will be forever missed by all who were blessed to know him.

The 1970s are remembered as a tumultuous time in American history. Women continued their fight for equality, and the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as the Vietnam War raged on throughout much of the decade. It was also during this time that Victor and Rosemary (Meeusen) Sharda of Holland, Michigan, were eagerly awaiting the birth of their baby. Finally, on January 29, 1977, their wait was over, and they joyously welcomed Scott Victor into their hearts and home.

Growing up, Scott was a typical young man of his generation in many ways. He was raised in the family home in Holland Heights alongside his siblings, Steve and Stacey. Scott discovered his passion for sports at a young age and was involved in Little League baseball as well as basketball. He often attended his father’s softball games as well. He loved swimming in their pool, especially when his father would toss him and make a huge splash. Scott attended Holland Christian Schools from his elementary days through high school graduation in 1995. He then went on to attend Calvin College where he studied business. During his senior year, Scott noticed a painful lump on his side and was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Determined to finish the class despite his treatments, he called one of his most trusted professors, Dave Buter, and worked out a way to accomplish his goal. Scott proudly attended his graduation after finishing his chemo treatment at Lettinga Cancer Center only the day before. From there, Scott remained on a five-year scan program to monitor any future cancer risk. Scott began working at Old Kent Bank in lending, later taking a job with Greenstone Farm Credit Service and eventually ending up in residential mortgage lending.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Scott when he met the woman of his dreams. Her name was Jane Buter, and the two met through a chain of mutual friends. She thought he was cute, and she and Scott later met at the B.O.B. for a drink. Unfortunately, that night was “bike night,” which made it difficult to have a conversation over all the noise of the Harleys. So, Scott and Jane decided to have a proper first date at Rose’s restaurant on Reed’s Lake in July of 2005. He brought her beautiful flowers, and the rest is history as they say. It didn’t take long for the two to realize that they were made for each other, and they were engaged before Thanksgiving of the same year. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Scott and Jane were married on July 14, 2007, at LaGrave Ave Christian Reformed Church. They took a memorable honeymoon in Traverse City to avoid the extensive cost of an extravagant trip, but they enjoyed it just as much. The newlyweds settled in Wyoming for the first year of their marriage before purchasing a new home together. He continued to work in lending while Jane pursued a career teaching kindergarten at Grand Rapids Christian School.

Of all the things that Scott loved in life, he valued his family most of all. Despite being told that he and Jane might not be able to have children due to his cancer, their family grew to include their three beloved children Celia, Quinn, and Max. Scott’s children were his pride and joy, and he took his role as their father and role model very seriously. He was always there for his children, even changing diapers in the middle of the night. Scott would often take them for bike rides or to various parks to play. The Sharda family were members of the Watermark Country Club, where they would spend nearly every day in the pool and Scott could golf in his free time.

Throughout his life, Scott was a man of many interests. He never lost his love for baseball or sports. Scott and his friends would often take trips to Florida for the Detroit Tigers spring training, and he rarely missed the Tigers’ opening day. A passion for baseball was one thing Scott had in common with both his father and his father-in-law. Jane and Scott once took both of their fathers to a game, but Scott refused to tell them where they were sitting. Instead, he surprised them with front row seats, and that game became a favorite memory. Scott also liked all kinds of cars and upgraded every few years. He especially loved Jeep Wranglers. Scott also loved to take his family to St. Augustine, Florida, where they stayed in the same condo every year and created many more lifelong memories. He also enjoyed Jimmy Buffet music, especially on the golf course, and liked driving around on the course. Scott loved eating Fricano's pepperoni and sausage pizza, and Mountain Dew was a favorite drink. He was known for his sweet tooth, and the children always knew to look for candy in his car. Scott continued to work hard at his career, even winning "lender of the month.” When he was declared cancer free, he got a tattoo that featured the date and Matthew 6:34.

In 2017, Scott’s cancer returned unexpectedly. He was forced to spend many months in the hospital and in isolation at Spectrum Health. Scott’s left leg was amputated in January, and the procedure went very well. He and Jane were able to vacation in Mexico the following April. Scott was fitted with a prosthetic and was able to return to work and golf. Scott refused to let the cancer get the better of him. He fought for the chance to live every single day and never took a single moment for granted. Scott even used his experiences to help others by volunteering on the handicap disability advocate committee for his church. He felt he had something to share with the world and considered becoming a motivational speaker to inspire others.

As family and friends can attest, Scott Sharda truly understood the secret to a life well-lived. He was a humble man who was always willing to serve others, and he never missed an opportunity to show someone how much they were loved. Scott leaves behind a priceless legacy that his loved ones will carry on proudly in his footsteps.

SHARDA – Scott Victor Sharda age 43, of Grand Rapids, passed away on October 6, 2020. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary Sharda; and sister-in-law, Anne. Scott is survived by his loving wife, Jane (Buter) Sharda; children, Celia, Quinn and Max; father, Victor (Janelle) Sharda; and siblings, Steve (Becky) Sharda and Stacey (Dan) Shoemaker. Also surviving are Jane’s parents, Dave (Sandy) Buter; brother-in-law, Ben (Kristin) Buter; sisters-in-law, Mary (Ryan) Boyk, Emily (Alex) Rusticus and Jessie Buter; and several nieces and nephews. Scott graduated from Holland Christian High School and Calvin College and was a member of LaGrave Ave Christian Reformed Church. A private family service will be held on Friday, October 9, 2020 at his church with a livestream link for friends available on the website below. Friends and family will gather (Masks and social distancing) at LaGrave Ave Christian Reformed Church Multi Purpose Room, 107 LaGrave Ave SE, on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Scott Sharda Children’s Education Fund c/o Macatawa Bank. Please visit www.heritagelifestory.com to read Scott’s life story, submit a favorite memory, photo, or to sign the guestbook online.

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