Sheila Jager

Sheila Jager was a gentle and soft spoken woman, who brought sunshine and smiles to scores of people throughout her life. She loved her family dearly and cherished the many wonderful memories they shared over the years. Her kindness and the love she showed were just a few of her very special qualities. Sheila was a ray of sunshine for those close enough to receive the gift of her warmth.

The 1950s marked a quieter, more stable time in American history, when neighborhoods and schools were bursting at the seams with children born in the Baby Boom. Sheila Sue Jager was among those children. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 25, 1950, to Robert and Helen (Barnes) Jager. Sheila was the second youngest of seven children, and enjoyed a typical childhood growing up in the small town of Marne with her four brothers, Gary, Bill, Philip and Mike, and two sisters, Pat and Mary. Gentle natured, Sheila liked to stay inside near her mom, and play with their family pets. Having a large family, money was often tight and they didn’t have hot water in the house until Sheila was a little older. Still, the family enjoyed going on outings to Muskegon, where they spent hot summer days swimming and picnicking in a park as well as getting together with extended family for reunions. Because Sheila was shy and mostly kept to herself, one of her favorite pastimes as a teenager was watching baseball or listening to a game on the radio.

Sheila received her education in the Coopersville area schools, and went on to graduate from Coopersville High in 1968. She then started a longtime career in the insurance industry, working for one insurance company for many years and another for the last 5 years. Sheila didn’t really like to drive, especially in bad weather, so she lived at home with her parents for a few years, before moving to Kentwood, which was closer to her work. Every Sunday though, Sheila went home to visit her parents, who she was very close with. With a low-key lifestyle, the hub of Sheila’s social activity was at work with her co-workers. Every Christmas, she enjoyed helping to organize the collection of Toys for Tots on behalf of the office.

In her free time, Sheila loved to go shopping, eating out, particularly spicy foods, and traveling. Although not much of a risk-taker, she immensely enjoyed several trips to the bustling city of New York, and a memorable vacation to Hawaii. In her quieter moments, Sheila loved to read (mostly fiction), and was an avid watcher of Law & Order on TV. Nothing made her happier though then spending time with her nieces and nephews, and sharing many great conversations together. Sheila was known to have a great sense of humor, and it was said “she gave just as good as she got!” Sheila will be treasured in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Sheila Jager, age 63, of Kentwood, MI went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, November 15, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Helen Jager, and her brothers, Gary and Bill Jager. Sheila is survived by her brothers and sisters, Philip Jager, Pat (Ray) Averill, Mike Jager, Mary (Dan) Umlor; her sisters-in-law, Arlene Jager, Diane (Brian) Brouwer, Vicki (Rich) Zemaitis, Jo (Ken) Steinbrecher; as well as many nieces and nephews. Her funeral service will be held on Friday, November 22, at 12 noon at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van't Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW, where friends may visit with her family from 10 a.m. until the service. To share a memory or sign the online guest book, please visit lifestorynet.com.