Sharon Elizabeth Wieland

Wieland, Sharon Elizabeth, age 90, of Jenison, ran into the arms of Jesus on October 1st, 2026, with her family by her side. Sharon was born on May 17, 1936, raised in Mount Morris, Illinois, and grew up in the Church of the Brethren. She leaves behind her three daughters, Shelley (Ric) Crooks, Krista (Steve) Yetzke, Angie (Chris) Yetzke; and three grandsons, Jake, Ty, and Luke Yetzke; her sister Marilyn Shinall; her brother-in-law Tom Darnell; her nephews and nieces Kevin (Christina) Shinall, Helayne Weiss (wife of the late Kyle Shinall), and Chris Shinall, Melissa Brewer, and Erica (Ed) Van Eenoo, as well as cousins, great nieces and nephews, and three beloved home health aides who became like daughters: Candise Carter, Tanesa Gray, and Anna Longo. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents Orville and Dorothy (Norberg) Ballard, former husband David Wieland, in-laws Henry and Laverne Wieland, sister Connie Darnell, and nephew Kyle Shinall.

Sharon earned her BA degree from Murray College in Kentucky, majoring in music and minoring in English. She began her career teaching music and kindergarten. After taking time off to raise her daughters, she returned in 1980 to teach fifth grade at Allendale Public Schools until she retired in 2001. She always knew she wanted to be a teacher and adored engaging with the kids. Some of her most memorable moments were dressing as Ms. Frizzle to bring science experiments to life, teaching about the Civil War, and bringing groups of students home to ride the horses. Her love of horses continued to the end where she watched nightly episodes of Heartland, always singing the theme song with her daughter, Angie.

Sharon loved saying, “Want to go on a lark?” These “larks” included midnight sidewalk sales, trips with friends and family, plays, concerts, and jaunts as simple as latte runs. Anyone who knew her, knew she loved April Fools’ Day and Halloween. Her elaborate April Fools’ jokes began with simply sewing one leg of every family member’s underwear shut, but became more and more creative. Her friends were blessed with signs in their yards, inviting neighbors to impromptu open houses. Her 2026 April Fools’ joke was to send an AI-generated picture of herself and her “betrothed,” announcing her fake wedding engagement. A lover of theater and adventure, Sharon donned a costume right through her final Halloween of 2025. She also led a chapter of the Red Hat Society, yet another way she embraced fun, friendship, costumes, and her favorite color, purple.

Family was everything to Sharon. Even though they were no longer married, she and her former husband and father of her children, Dave, would gather together for birthdays and Christmas celebrations. Her family will be forever grateful.

In her retirement years, Sharon most enjoyed time with her grandsons. Whether drinking Harry Potter’s Butter Beer, sharing in her love of music and books, cooking, or taking her fishing, her grandsons, Jake, Ty, and Luke cherished their time with “Dee.” These interests connected them through the years.

Sharon’s quiet sense of faith and gift of encouragement benefitted all who knew her. She was a prayer warrior, often praying over a request months beyond what was asked. Whenever told a weighty request, she’d reply, “I’ll be on my knees” and then joke that she might need help getting back up. She most recently attended Fair Haven Ministries. These last years she took great pleasure in watching her grandson, Jake, virtually as he led worship at Hager Park Church.

Sharon was known to make things happen for her daughters. She was tenacious and the fiercest of advocates. For example, she would drive her daughters to horse shows, praying there would be someone there to back up the trailer since she only knew how to drive it forward. If one had a dream, she was there to support it, sponsor it, and cheer that daughter on—or encourage her to pick up the pieces and make a new plan if need be.

She was a model of integrity, selflessness, and perfect grammar, and her legacy will live on in her family.

Funeral services will be held at Cook Funeral Home in Grandville, MI, with Jake Yetzke officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family this Saturday, October 10. Visitation will be from 3:00-4:00 pm, followed by a Celebration Life at 4:00 pm. In honor of her sweet tooth, desserts and lattes will be served. Those who wish, may make memorial contributions to Kid’s Hope.