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Sharon Ringold

July 7, 1944 - March 2, 2022
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Sunday, March 6, 2022
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Visitation

Monday, March 7, 2022
10:00 AM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Service

Monday, March 7, 2022
11:00 AM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

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.

Salvation Army of Grand Rapids
1215 E. Fulton St.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Reflecting on the life of Sharon Ringold, words such as fun-loving, devoted, and compassionate come to mind, yet the word that is most fitting to describe her is selfless. Sharon had a generous heart and loved to gather her family together over the years. Though cooking wasn't her favorite activity, Sharon always made sure there were delicious meals at special holidays or get-togethers. Exceptionally generous and caring, she leaves behind a wonderful collection of memories sure to be shared for generations to come.

Not much could be said about the 1940s without some reference to WWII. Sharon Louise was born to William and Audrey (Williams) Curtis on July 7th in Jamestown, New York. Born the second oldest in a family of three girls, her birth brought great joy and happiness into their lives at a tumultuous time in history. The marriage of her father, who was a truck driver, and her mother, who was a homemaker, ended in divorce when she was a young girl. As a result, she and her sisters were raised by her maternal grandparents.

Together with her sisters, Sharon lived a carefree childhood. They loved spending time outdoors picking blackberries and canning them to enjoy during the harsh winter months. Later on, Sharon’s family grew to include her brothers, David and Bill. Times were often tough during her developing years financially, yet they made the most of their years together. The kids attended Salvation Army Church and enjoyed participating in summer camp. Sharon loved to sing and joined the choir in high school. After graduating with the Class of 1963 from Jamestown High School. Eager to start out on her own, she took a job as a bank teller.

Sharon met the man who would change the course of her life forever, Donn Ringold, when her cousin, Al Williams brought him to Jamestown for a visit. Donn was immediately interested and he and Al invited her to join them out for a night of bowling. The two of them hit it off and the rest was history! Romantically in love, Donn and Sharon dated for two years before joining in marriage on May 25, 1963. They spent their earliest years of marriage on the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan where Donn was stationed. Later, they moved into a place on Livingston, NE near Look Out Hill in Grand Rapids. Together they raised three wonderful children; Donna, Ted, and Dale. As a family, they made countless memories. Some of their favorites were the trips they took to area amusement parks such as Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Great America. As a mother, Sharon was deeply involved with her children’s activities. Missing out on some of her own childhood, Sharon wanted nothing but the best for her own children. Nurturing and loving, she sewed clothes, grew vegetables, and decorated cakes for them to sample! By the time Dale was in high school, Sharon returned to the world of work. She started at the Greenview Nursing Home and made her way to Family Service Association before later retiring from Great Lakes Wholesale. Despite her busy schedule, her children were always at the center of her life.

Sharon held a wide variety of special pastimes. She became very involved with researching the history of her maternal grandmother’s family. Any time the family was on a trip, they would always plan a stop at the local cemetery so Sharon could look up an ancestor. She invested countless hours into finding out everything she could about her extended family. Even on a trip with Donn to England, Sharon added visits to cemeteries to their itinerary! Both she and Donn loved to travel and enjoyed exploring new areas together over the years. Their favorite tradition was having all of their grandchildren over on New Year’s Eve. They looked forward to these special times as well as taking trips with them. Sharon wanted them to have fond memories of their time together. She was especially thrilled when she became a great-grandmother. Nothing brought her more joy than to see her family grow.

When it came to relaxing, Sharon loved completing word search puzzles, watching Hallmark movies, and decorating cakes. Her special companions, her cats, Kitty and Bella, provided her with special joy and comfort when she was alone. After Donn passed away, Sharon joined services at Trinity Baptist Church where she made many new friends. Described as sweet yet feisty, Sharon leaves behind a legacy of living life to the fullest. May her loved ones never doubt the immense love she held in her heart for each and every one of them and may her memories be eternal.

Sharon L. Ringold, age 77, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away with her loving family by her side on March 2, 2022. Sharon was born in Jamestown, NY, July 7, 1944, to the late William and Audrey (Williams) Curtis. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Donn Ringold; sisters, Wanda Bush, and Rita Oldro; and brother, Bill Curtis. Sharon retired from Great Lakes Wholesale, she loved to travel to New York, Niagara Falls and enjoyed genealogy. Most of all she adored her marriage and her family. Sharon is survived by her children, Donna (Mike Maas) Ringold of Grand Rapids, Ted (Janice) Ringold of Ionia, Dale (Susan) Ringold of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Joseph, Ryan, Mandi, Jordan, Arianna, Tiffany; and great-grandchildren, Finn, Haley, Rory, Taylor, and McKenzie. Also, surviving are her brother, David (Debra) Curtis of South Carolina; and her special cousins, Al and Judy Williams. A funeral service will be held Monday, March 7, 2022, at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE. Friends may visit on Sunday from 2-5 PM and Monday beginning at 10 AM. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army of Grand Rapids. Please visit Sharon's personal web page to leave a memory or condolence at www.heritagelifestory.com.

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