Sharon Koppe

Sharon A. Koppe, 78, of Bellaire, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at her home.  She was born on April 10, 1943 in Abington, PA, the daughter of John and Dorothy (Pardon) Simonds.

Sharon had an infectious personality and was loved by many.  To most people in Bellaire, she was known as "Mom".  She loved live music and dancing.  She could be found at Short's occasionally to listen to the great bands, many times she would be seen dancing at the end of the table in her wheelchair.  She loved history and traveling.  She was a retired schoolteacher in Southeastern Michigan. She was a long-time resident of Plymouth, Michigan, but eventually retired to the family home in Bellaire.

Sharon was the eldest of eight and their father was a Captain in the United States Navy.  They moved around many times as the kids were growing up.  Sharon graduated from Bad Axe High School, and went on to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 library science with a minor in history from Eastern Michigan University.  She loved to travel all around the United States and Europe.  She enjoyed experiencing other cultures as well as ancient cultures.  She dealt with many health struggles over the years, but she never complained once.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Sharon is survived by two children, Brian Koppe of Bellaire and Stephanie Koppe of Bellaire; two brothers, John (Jenny) Simonds of Dexter, MI and Scott Simonds of Dexter, MI; five sisters, Pam (Lester) Heddle of Ann Arbor, MI, Nancy Heine of Ypsilanti, MI, Sally Huetterman of Pinckney, MI, Kim (Tom) Depping of Kingwood, TX, and Tracy (Mike) Carr of Beeton, Ontario; 20 nieces & nephews; 24 great-nieces & great-nephews; 11 great-great-nieces & great-great-nephews; her dog, Oscar; and two grand-dogs, Cooper and Oliver.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother-in-law, George Heine; her maternal grandparents, Leo and Dolla (McCormick) Pardon; her paternal grandparents, Daniel and Stella (Grigg) Simonds; her uncle, Charles Pardon; her aunts, Betty Fiorille and Louise Pardon; and a dog, Barkis.

A celebration of Sharon's life will be held on Sunday, August 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Summit Village Beach Club in Bellaire.  Another celebration is scheduled for October 2nd downstate, and details will be announced as they are made available.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Methodist Children’s Home Society of Redford online at https://mchsmi.org/make-a-donation/ , or C/O Mortensen Funeral Homes, PO Box 488, Central Lake, MI 49622.

Arrangements are in the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com