Scharlynn "Schar" Sims

Scharlynn Fay (Thunder/Watson) Sims

August 23, 1935-March 16, 2024

Scharlynn (Schar) Fay Sims, the leading lady of our family departed to her heavenly home on Saturday, March 16, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family.  

She was born August 23,1935 to Madelyn and Roy Thunder.   She was a lifelong resident of Battle Creek.  She graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1953 and was a lifelong Bearcat.  She was married to A. Carlyle Sims, Jr. in May of 1955.   They were married in the First Congregational Church.  Scharlynn and Carlyle would have celebrated 69 years of marriage on May 1, 2024.  She was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church.  

Schar started her career working in the office at Kellogg’s prior to having her children.  Schar had a variety of careers prior to and after raising her four children.   She ended up retiring from the City of Battle Creek working in their finance office.  She volunteered for many functions with her children.  She was highly active in the PTA at Lakeview Schools where her children attended.  She was an active room mother, fund raiser and huge cheerleader on the sideline of her children’s various sporting events.  She was a chaperone back in 1966 for Miss Michigan and even went to Atlantic City for the Miss America pageant.  Scharlynn loved being a grandmother to her nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  She was never at a loss for words when talking about them and what they meant to her.   

Scharlynn was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi with over 63 years of active membership.  She held all the officer positions, including the chapter President several times.  She loved the time spent with her many sorority sisters both past and present.   She considered them good friends and not just sorority sisters.  

Schar and Carl spent time after retirement in Florida for 18 years during the winter months.  There she played golf and bingo.  She enjoyed the many friendships she developed with the people down there.  

Scharlynn is survived by her husband, Carl Sims of 68 years; her children, Cheri (Lori) Sims, Andy (Pam) Sims, David Sims and Jenny (Jeff) Lofland; grandchildren, Angela (Geoff) Lockwood, Heather (Todd) Thiel, Chase Lofland, Cody Lofland, Ben Serbantez, Ashley (Marc) Veenstra, Samantha (Logan) Crooks, Cuyler Lofland and Zack Sims and seven great-grandchildren.   She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Jackie Nelson.  

Visitation will be Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, where a service will follow at 1:30 p.m.  In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations in memory of Schar to the Binder Park Zoo or the Humane Society of South Central Michigan.  Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.