Obituary of Sharon Lynne Alderton

Sharon Lynne Alderton, aged 82, was called home to Heaven on August 2, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on August 28, 1941 to Marvin and June (Ranney) Cleveland, Sharon was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Sharon was a devout Christian, whose faith was the cornerstone of her life. She dedicated herself to the service of others, embodying the teachings of Christ in her everyday actions. A long-time member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Sharon was actively involved in numerous church activities, including teaching Sunday School, leading MYF, and leading many Bible study groups. She filled various leadership roles in the church, and has been the head of coffee hour teams since the pandemic.  She also headed up the annual bazaar and Mother/Daughter Banquet for years.  The Easter Sunrise Breakfast was a very special day that she organized for over 30 years, including this year. Her unwavering faith and generosity touched the lives of all who knew her.

Sharon was not only very involved in her church, but also in her beloved town of Rose City.  She was a driving force in the early 2000’s for the committee that put in the playground at the park.  She also was very active in the local library, serving on the library board for many years.  She only resigned this year because of health issues.  A favorite passion of hers was the local history of our area. When the Historical Society had any questions, they would call Sharon and she always knew the answer. She was a driving force on the Rose City High School Alumni Committee

She held several jobs in her life, but most noted was her private bookkeeping and tax business.  She had many faithful clients and families she helped for decades.  They became like family to her and her loyalty to them shone brightly.   This skill was also utilized as an employee of WBRC Public Schools where she worked as a payroll clerk until she retired.  She made many friends and all who knew her were blessed by her friendship.  

Being an avid reader, Sharon had a passion for history, especially Civil War history.  In the early 1990’s she made her first trip to the Gettysburg Battlefield with her sister Marva who is also an enthusiast.  That sparked a decades-long string of adventures visiting many different historical sites with anyone she could drag along.  She loved a good adventure and had many.  Just last fall she went to Gettysburg one more time, and the sparkle was still in her eyes as she looked across the field at Picket’s Charge.  She and many family members also piled into a 15-passenger van multiple times to take trips.  Touring the Laura Ingalls Wilder circuit to the west, and south were some of her favorites.  She recently proclaimed, “I have done everything I wanted, my bucket list is satisfied”.   

Sharon is survived by her four children, Polly Mason (Rodney), Missy Dantzer (David), Guy Alderton (Tanya) and Eric Alderton (Dena); and her nineteen grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister, Marva Hartman, her Sisterhood sisters Janet Senyko and Iris Pavlik, her special friend Chris Casey and Tim and Sandra Shetler.  Sharon also has many beloved great grand-children, nieces, nephews, in-laws and extended family. Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Donald J. Alderton, her parents, Marvin and June Cleveland, and her brother, Charles Cleveland.

Sharon’s love for her family was boundless, and she found immense joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren, sharing stories, singing, playing games, hosting football and American Idol parties.  She loved watching sports, attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting activities, or plays/activities.  Christmas and Thanksgiving were always a very special time at her house for the entire family.  From her giant Christmas stockings to throwing massive canisters of coins to the children, her home was always filled with warmth, laughter, and love.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 125 W. Main St., Rose City, Michigan, on August 18, 2024.   Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 pm.   Memorial service will be at 3:00 pm with Pastor Don and Paster Jody officiating.  Special eulogy will be given by Darren Alderton.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made to the Ogemaw District Library in Rose City and the Rose City Historical Society.

Sharon Alderton’s legacy of love, faith, and service will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will continue to inspire and guide us.

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." - Proverbs 31:28

To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.