Sharon Kay Appel

Sharon Kay “Sheri” Appel, 80, passed away while in hospital on September 6, 2025, due to health complications. Born on September 25, 1944, in Muskegon, Michigan. She had four older siblings: Sue, Ruth, Nancy, and Dave. She spent her youth playing and being creative on the shores of Lake Michigan. She loved playing with her marionettes and paper dolls. Showing early aptitude for creativity. Several of her siblings were also very creative, and this carried over to her.

After completing high school, she married her first husband, Lance Nelson. Giving birth to her first son, Kenneth Eric Nelson, on April 24, 1968. Divorcing in the early seventies, she met Bob Harris. Although she never had any children with Bob, she was an attentive and kind mother to her stepchildren, who often remark on fond memories of her. During this time, she often participated in artistic pursuits, including taking art classes at the local community college and becoming quite personally accomplished. As well as being a devoted mother. She also helped in the early days of Meals on Wheels.

Sheri had many jobs, including but not limited to a hospital supply secretary for the University of Michigan Hospital, a secretary for WAAM radio station, and a secretary for Mr. Rubbish. In the late seventies, she divorced Bob Harris. Meeting Darvin McCombs in the early eighties. Giving birth to Randall Chris McCombs on February 12, 1986. She would still be a devoted mother to this son. Born with complications of cerebral palsy, Sheri had to find a flexible career; she transitioned to house cleaning. This helps support the family throughout Randall’s early life, but she eventually learned and became a radiology tech and assistant in the early 2000s.

Sheri was shy but creative. Once you got to know her, she would open up and be very funny. She was always willing to help. She loved her family, and her siblings were always there for each other. Whenever there was a problem and she didn’t know an answer to she would find the solution. She was a devoted mother, sibling, and friend, always willing to share a laugh.

There were no services, but if you would like to give donations to an art charity of your choice or Meals on Wheels, you can give to the Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels or a local branch.

- https://www.michiganmedicine.org/community/community-health-services/ann-arbor-meals-wheels

- https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals-and-services/

& Paws with the Cause https://pawswithacause.org/