Sharon A. Rostkowski

Sharon Ann Stapels Rostkowski, 76 of Holland, OH passed away peacefully on August 30, 2023. Born Oct. 3, 1946, in Detroit, MI to Geraldine (Schultz) Stapels and John Stapels. Sherry was the second oldest of five, which includes four brothers, Bill, John “Peach”, Bob, and Dennis. A loving and supportive family, the lifelong friendships with her brothers, and their spouses her “Sisters” Karen, Lois, Sue, Cindy and Bernadette were incredibly important to her.

Raised in Detroit, Sherry met the love of her life, Richard Rostkowski, while both were students at St. Charles High School, graduating in 1964. The two were married on April 16, 1966. Sherry cherished her relationships with Rich’s parents, his brother Leonard and his wife Sandie, along with his sister Barbara and her husband Mike.

During their first years of marriage the two traveled with the military to St. Paul, MN where son Rick was born, then on to Wurzburg, Germany. Once back in Detroit, daughter Michelle and youngest son Gregory were born. In 1975, due to a job transfer for Rich, he and Sherry moved to Toledo, OH to raise their family. Once in Toledo, Sherry embraced her role as a mother, encouraging her kids at every turn. She shared all her interests with her children and supported theirs.

Over 57 years, Sherry was a loving wife and partner and she was equally blessed with the unwavering love and devotion of her husband Richard. True to his vows, Rich saw to her every need both in sickness and in health. These two made a wonderful life together filled with love, family, travel and laughs.

Sherry was smart, competitive, and witty. She was always up for cards, bingo or a family mission to hopefully bankrupt the Las Vegas casinos. Sherry was tough to beat at any game, but she will be more remembered for the ease she had making new friends and keeping everyone smiling and laughing.

Her loyalty was forever to her Detroit Tigers, a lifelong passion she shared with her parents, Dutch and Johnny. Sherry and her mom would talk about their Tigers nearly every day.

A tireless cheerleader and devoted mother and grandmother, Sherry attended countless ball games, performances and recitals. Sherry’s pride and joy were her four grandsons, Eric, John, and Bryce Rostkowski, Luke Wells, and her favorite granddaughter Emily Wells. She cherished every opportunity to spend time with them and celebrate their accomplishments.

Sherry was Aunt Sherry to 16 nieces and nephews whom she adored, and to countless other children she helped to raise, working in childcare for many years.

Sherry, ever outgoing, enjoyed working in retail. Best of all she made many good friends among her co-workers and customers at Service Merchandise and Babies R Us where she worked until she finally retired.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents John Stapels and Geraldine (Schultz) Stapels, and is survived by her husband, Richard Rostkowski, her brothers, William (Karen) Stapels, John (Lois) Stapels, Robert (Susan) Stapels, and Dennis (Cynthia) Stapels, as well as her 3 children, Richard (Lisa) Rostkowski, Michelle (Jack) Wells, and Greg (Susan) Rostkowski, and her 5 grandchildren Eric Rostkowski, John Rostkowski, Bryce Rostkowski, Luke Wells and Emily Wells.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Sterling Heights Lions Club located at 12828 Canal Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48313 from 3pm-7pm.