Sharon Lee (Chivington) Schele

Sharon L. Schele, 84 of Battle Creek passed away June 17, 2025 after a brief illness. She was born January 24, 1941, in Dayton, Ohio to Raymond and Ruth (Cruzen) Chivington. As a small child, she moved to Battle Creek with her family and was a 1959 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Sharon loved all kinds of dance and began taking dance lessons as a child, eventually owning and operating Dorlo Dance Studio, until closing it to focus on raising her family. After her children were in school, she held a few part-time positions until taking full-time employment with the Battle Creek Federal Center from which she retired in 2006.

Sharon met the love of her life, William (Bill) J. Schele, in 1963 at the home of mutual friends and they were married on July 28, 1964. They were married for more than 50 years until his death on June 16, 2015. Surviving are their three children, Sherry (Douglas) Sofia of Battle Creek, Caroline (Mark) Johnson of Bloomington, IL, William Schele (fiancé Melissa LaLonde) of Battle Creek; three grandchildren, Pauline, Devon and Dalton Schele; two great-grandchildren and several dearly loved nieces, nephews and their families. In addition to her husband, Sharon also was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Carol VanDam.

Bill farmed for more than 20 years, and she loved to work alongside him and her family helping with the harvests and tending to the livestock. In addition to dancing, Sharon enjoyed working in her yard, yoga, and music. However, her biggest joy in life was spending time with her family. Whether attending grandchildren’s activities and sporting events, taking trips with her adult children or shopping with her daughters, she cherished time with those she loved. She also had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs and horses, and will be remembered as a loving, caring, sweet and sometimes sassy and stubborn mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed by those she loved and those who loved her.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 23, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Floral Lawn Memorial Cemetery, 1490 E. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek. Services will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel. A celebration of her life is planned following the service at Pasche’s at 11081 East Michigan Avenue.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan, 2500 Watkins Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49015.

Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.