Obituary of Sharon Ruth Chapel

Sharon Ruth Chapel Born April 12, 1946 in Kalamazoo, Michigan Sharon Chapel passed away peacefully on March 13, 2015 in Clio, Michigan after a long, difficult battle with cancer. Born, Sharon Ruth Hibbard on April 12, 1946 she was 68 years old. Sharon lived her growing up years in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was the daughter of Wilson and Ruth (Moran) Hibbard. Sharon was the middle child and only girl in her family; the rose between two thorns. Sharon graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1964 and went on to study education at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan. During school Sharon was active in marching band, where she played the clarinet. She was also active in the drama club, where she earned the nickname "Cricket" after playing Jiminy Cricket in her class production of Pinocchio. Sharon graduated from Spring Arbor in 1968 earning a degree in secondary education and an endorsement to teach Middle and High School students. Her first teaching position was in Springport, Michigan where she also served as the Cheerleading Coach. During a football game, one Friday night, the football players ran over her cheerleaders while taking the field. Sharon had words with the coach, Bill Chapel. She and Bill were married on June 12, 1970. Following marriage, Bill and Sharon obtained teaching positions in Clio, Michigan. Sharon was first employed at Clio Middle School where she taught English. Later, she was transferred to Clio High School. During her tenure in Clio, Sharon taught English, History and Social Studies but her passion was her Law class. She started the Clio High School Law Club and was well-known for selling doughnuts to staff and students at the high school to allow the club to raise funds. Sharon was also the Model Judiciary Program Chair for the YMCA's Youth in Government Program. In addition, during her last few years of teaching, she also served as a Driver's Education Teacher. In addition to her teaching career, Sharon was very active in the Puppen Fur Christus ministry of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, where she and Bill were members. She is survived by her husband, Bill; her mother, Ruth; her brothers LeRoy Hibbard of Clearwater, FL and Dale (Liz Erickson) Hibbard of Teanect, NJ; sister in law, Jean-Lee (Jim) Moore; her children, Melissa (Jonathan ) Phillips of Dowagiac, MI and Mindy (Michael) Young of Kansas City, MO; her grandchildren, Elizabeth, William, Jonathan, Noah and Isaac Phillips, and Dakoda and Kayla Young; nephews Matthew Moore, Andrew Moore, and Erik Hibbard; nieces, Devan and Danielle Hibbard; and numerous friends who will miss her vibrant personality and sense of humor. Sharon was preceded in death by her father, Wilson Hibbard. Sharon's Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on March 28, 2015 at Crystal Gardens Chapel, 3289 Field Rd, Clio Michigan. In lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Puppen Fur Christus Ministry of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Saginaw MI. Sharon's family and friends wish to express appreciation to our father, Bill Chapel for the loving and tender care that he showed our, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend over her long illness. Despite the fact that our hearts are broken because we have had to say goodbye, we know, "there are far, far better things ahead than any Sharon leaves behind" and we look forward to the day when our family will be reunited once again. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid Michigan