Sharon K. Barber's Obituary
Mrs. Sharon K. Barber, age 57, went to be with her Lord Monday morning, April 5, 2004, at her home. She was born June 25, 1946 in Muskegon to Howard W. & Nila M. (Jones) Noble and had been a life resident of the area. Sharon was a 5th grade teacher at Orchard View Elementary School for 36 years, where she dedicated her life’s work to her students and their success. For that dedication, Sharon had received several awards including, the 2003 “My Cool Teacher” award by WZZM, the “Who’s Who of American Teachers” award, several times; an “Excellence in Education” award and was honored twice by graduating students. Professionally, Sharon was a member of the M.E.A., N.E.A. and the R-N.E.A. She also was a member of Unity Reformed Church and her “C.R.O.S.S.” Group, and formerly a member of Grace Christian Reformed Church where she had taught Sunday School for 20 years. She was devoted to her family and her many students throughout the years, and enjoyed reading, camping and traveling in her spare time. On June 27, 1970 she married Neal J. Barber, and he survives her along with 2 daughters, Deborah (John) Gorkisch of Muskegon, and Heather Barber, and fiancé Chad Bolling, of Louisville, KY; 2 grandchildren, Dean Ryan and Abigail Kay Gorkisch; her parents, Howard & Nila Noble of Muskegon and special friends, Kathleen Cobbler, Nan Eggebrecht and Doug Faulkner. Sharon was preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Harley & Reva Barber. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, April 10, 2004 at Unity Reformed Church (1521 Porter Rd) with the Rev. Kyle DeYoung officiating. Final interment will be in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. VISITATION with Sharon’s family will be 6-9 PM Friday at Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 737 Apple Avenue, 231-726-5210, and one-hour prior to the service at Unity Reformed Church. For a more lasting memorial, you are asked to consider the Sharon Barber Trust Fund for O.V. School’s Elementary Children with Cancer.
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