Sheri Schafer

A vibrant woman who taught us so much about what it means to truly live, Sheryl “Sheri” Schafer was a genuine gift in the lives of many. She was kindhearted and gentle, and had a natural way of putting others at ease. With the love of her life by her side for 20 years, Sheri could find the beauty in each new day and was truly content in all things. During her later years, she came to embrace the Catholic faith for which she deeply treasured. Sheri leaves behind a brilliant mosaic of memories that will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of those too numerous to count.

The mid-forties saw the end of WWII which brought countless servicemen and women back home. The nation was more than ready to say goodbye not only to the perils of war, but also to the hardships of the Great Depression that blanketed the prior decade. The year 1946 was a year to remember for one active family from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they welcomed with joy a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home. Sheryl Louise was the third of four children born to her parents, Harold Victor and Dorothy Arlene (Blakeman) Peterson, and was raised in the family home on Kinney Avenue alongside her older siblings, Patricia and Michael, and younger brother, Richard.

Sheri’s father worked in a local furniture factory while her mother was a homemaker and seamstress. Sheri was close with her siblings, and they were constant playmates who enjoyed romping in the nearby blueberry fields, playing softball and hide-and-go-seek, and playing dress up, too. There were also memorable holiday dinners and get-togethers with extended family along with priceless memories made on vacations to Kimble Lake in Newaygo. The lake provided the backdrop for swimming, fishing, boating, and picnics. Although Sheri loved the water, she never learned to swim.

In many ways, Sheri experienced a childhood reflective of her generation. The Peterson family were faithful members of Mission Covenant Church, later known as First Evangelical Covenant Church. Sheri attended Walker Station Elementary, and her high school years found her at Union High School where she was involved in drama for several years. Sheri was a gifted actress, and starred in leading roles on three separate occasions. While in the 10th grade she won the Kroger Westinghouse cook-off and even traveled to Cincinnati for the national bake-off. Her prize winning dish was a Swedish tea ring which earned her an electric range and $100.00. Sheri also loved playing softball and was into the study of insects, but she hated spiders.

Sheri’s earlier years in the work force found her working at Michigan Bell Telephone as an operator where she remained for 30 years. After retiring from the phone company, she went to work at Brooks Fiber Communications WorldCom for a time. From there she held positions at Sears, Classic Realty, DeBartolo Realty, Amway, AAA Insurance, and worked the deli at Great Day Foods.

New and exciting changes were in store for Sheri when she met the man with whom she would share the best years of her life. She met Ray Schafer at a singles dance at Lincoln Country Club, and hit it off right from the start. After dating for one and a half years, Sheri and Ray were married on July 4, 1987, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grand Rapids. They enjoyed spending time together and shared some of the same interests, which included searching for great finds at garage sales and flea markets. They settled into a home on O’Brien Road where Sheri remained for the rest of her life.

A woman of many interests, Sheri loved to play board games, especially Aggravation and Scrabble, and she didn’t like losing! When it came to music, she loved an array of country, opera, and classical, but truly preferred the sounds of nature that came with living in their country home. She loved flowers, especially those in hues of purple as it was her favorite color. With a natural knack for interior decorating, she had a great eye for design. Sheri loved Mexican food such as chips and cheese, and she also liked Chinese fare such as Mongolian beef, and sweet and sour shrimp. As her friends and family can attest, Sheri rarely turned down a piece of raspberry pie, especially when topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh berries, and she also loved homemade soup. She had an impressive collection of antiques, glass, and brassware, and as a natural artist, she liked making crafts and jewelry in addition to sewing.

Sheri recently became Catholic, and was blessed to have received each of the Holy Sacraments including Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation. She made confession in her living room, and Fr. Donald Lomasiewicz of St. Isidore Catholic Church also blessed Sheri with the Anointing of the Sick.

There are so many things we will miss about Sheri Schafer. She was easy to talk to, and always willing to help anyone in need. Sheri was a great party planner who poured her heart and soul into finding just the perfect gift for her loved ones. She had a special place in her heart for children, especially her nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews which she loved and cared for as if they were her own. True soul mates, she felt truly fortunate to have found in Ray her one true love. Although she will be deeply missed, Sheri’s friends and family find comfort knowing she felt extremely blessed throughout her life’s journey, and so looked forward to being reunited with her husband and family members who went before her.

In her own heartfelt, handwritten words, Sheri expressed her life with much gratitude . . .“I enjoyed a wonderful childhood, a wonderful adulthood, and a wonderful marriage. My time on earth was extremely enjoyable, and I thank God for that.” After 65 tremendous years, Sheryl L. “Sheri” Schafer, August 4, 1946 – May 16, 2012 earned her heavenly reward in the quiet of the morning and in the comfort of her home.

“When you read this, I pray that I will be in the arms of God, listening to the angels sing and reunited with Hubert Ray Schafer, the love of my life, my parents, and all the loved ones that have gone on before me. I am the third child of Harold Peterson and Dorothy Peterson and the first of the four siblings to pass on. I leave behind my sister, Patricia Marshall; my brothers, Michael (Arlene) Peterson, and Richard (Dory) Peterson; my sister-in-law, Jeanette M. Bechtold (Schafer); many nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, many friends, and I love them all with all my heart. I also leave behind some very special friends, Andrea Benson (friend for 50 years), Carole Wood (friend for 60 years), and Pat Luhrs (friend for 45 years). “May the Lord’s peace be with all of you, and I’ll see all of you in time.”

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 21, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2230 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Relatives and friends may meet Sheri’s family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Sunday from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, and at the church Monday from 1:00 AM until the Mass begins. Contributions in Sheri’s memory may be made to Hospice of Michigan. To read more about Sheri’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, please visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com.