Sharon Kay Prinz was born April 18, 1942 to Robert and Edna Wolverton in Ionia, Michigan. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies and Elementary Education from Grand Valley State and a Master’s degree in School Administration from Central Michigan University.
Sharon married Edward Vance in 1962. They had two children, Julie Lynne Sellin and Edward Gove Vance, Jr. Sharon was preceded in death by Ed, Jim Lewis and Jim Prinz.
Sharon taught in Ionia Public Schools, Marcellus Public Schools and Comstock Public Schools. Due to her battle with Systemic Lupus, she regretfully retired early; she loved her students and they loved her. She would still receive Christmas cards from her students thanking her for her support and love.
In 1994 Sharon moved to South Haven, Michigan to be near the lake where she had spent summers. It proved to be a very wise decision as her health gradually improved. She returned to her love of drawing and painting in watercolors and continued to enjoy being a member of a class of instruction.
Sharon moved to Merced, California to be closer to her daughter and family in 2013. It didn’t take very long for her to become an active member of Gateway Community Church. She volunteered leading bible study groups and taught painting classes at The Hampshire Retirement Center.
Sharon is survived by her children Julie (John) Sellin and Edward (Carmen) Vance, grandchildren Kathryn, Stephanie, Max, Zachary, Connor and Riley Sellin and Ryan and Mallory Vance. She loved being with her grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Betty Ann (Brian) Dolphin in Belding, Michigan and Margaret (Bruce) Look of Elk Rapids, Michigan.
Sharon would want to be remembered as being a loving mom, grandma, sister, aunt, teacher and friend. She had many friends that she has kept in touch with over the years. She loved having them visit at the lake in South Haven and Merced. Sharon loved to laugh and make others laugh. Her faith in Christ and her sense of humor were important to her to help her get through some difficult days.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Gateway Community Church, The Lupus Foundation, or The American Cancer Society.
A Memorial Service will be held on February 25th at 1:30 pm at Gateway Community Church in Merced and a Celebration of Life will be held in Michigan in June.