Betty Jane Schark

Betty Jane Schark

James Township

Our sweet, sassy, sharp, feisty, generous, loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother passed away after a long, beautiful life on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 97 years.

She was born on October 27, 1925, in Bay City, MI, the daughter of the late Alexander and Bertha (Ferber) MacFarlane. Betty married the “love of her life”, Donald J. Schark on October 11, 1947, and they would have celebrated 66 years of marriage prior to his passing on October 9, 2013.

In 1964, they moved their family to James Township and bought a party store/gas station/pool hall, renaming it Schark’s Party Supply. From 1968 to their retirement in 1989, they went on to own and operate the family business, Schark Heating & Cooling, running the business out of their home, while she made daily lunches for the employees. They enjoyed traveling to various countries with their business counterparts through earned incentive programs. They also loved spending time up to their cabins with family and friends. Her main joy and priority in life was spending time with her family. She loved playing cards and was up for a card game every night of the week. Her favorite game was double Euchre, but would never turn down an invitation to play regular Euchre, Polish Rum, Rummy 500, 31 (Tonk), or “Family Friendly Poker”. She would outlast anyone at the poker table; while everyone was yawning and ready for bed, she was still raring to go.  She was famously known for baking her delicious homemade cookies. Everyone loved her cookies and she insisted on sending them to every event in her loved ones' lives. She enjoyed watching The Price Is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud (she loved Steve Harvey), the Hallmark Channel and the News. She also enjoyed listening to music (Ray Price, Conway Twitty, Charley Pride) blaring on her Alexa. She loved going up north to her loved ones' cottages, going out to eat, going on “Girls Week”, taking an annual trip to Frankenmuth, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, and walking through stores just lollygagging. There was always lots of laughter when she was with her family; her facial expressions said it all. She loved company and entertaining at her house, always making delicious popcorn for all to enjoy. She just lit up a room and attracted attention everywhere she went. She was good at spoiling her loved ones, but at the same time, she was extremely spoiled by everyone that loved her. She may have been small, but she lived life in a big way. She was an Amazing Lady who will be missed by many.

She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fraternal Order of the Eagles #497, the Polish Falcons, and the Moose Lodge.

Betty is survived by her children: Barbara (Ferdy) Meier, Jeffery (Mary) Schark and

Daughters-in-law Mary Schark and Debbie Schark. Her grandchildren; Kelly (Matt) Kenel, Shelly (Scott) Kolevar, Jay (Kelly) Meier, Dale Gunther, Scott (Krissa) Gunther, Don Schark, Corey (Brian) DeLong, Jennifer (Mark) LaDouce, David (Mary) Schark, Carrie (Tim) Wilson, Kristen (Jeff) Platte, Jeff (Ashley) Schark, Ryan Schark, and Kyle Schark; 20 Great-Grandchildren: Mark (Angie) Kenel, Brad (Madison) Kenel, Scott Kolevar, Jr., Brooke (Noah) Kolevar, Abigayle (Paul) Craun, Jay Jay (Val) Meier, Scott Gunther, Aaron Gunther, Alison (David) Winter, Claudia DeLong, Adeline DeLong, Jack LaDouce, Alex LaDouce, Lauryn Schark, David Schark, Mason Wilson, Camden Wilson, Evan Platte, Ella Platte and Gwendolyne Schark; 2 Great-Great Grandchildren: Donald Winter and Clara Craun. Betty is also survived by her brothers/sisters-in-law: Russell Cook, James & Marilyn LaDouce, and Dorothy Jacobs, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, including her dear friend: Lois Toth. 

Betty was predeceased by her husband: Donald J. Schark, her children: Sue Gunther, Donald Schark and David Schark; her siblings: Margaret Federspiel, Dorothy Cook, Mildred Pierce, Louella Heinz and Robert MacFarlane.

The funeral service will take place at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday September 20, 2023, at the W. L. Case and Company, 201 N. Miller Rd. Deacon Jeff Rauschert will officiate with cremation to follow. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral chapel on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Ronald McDonald House or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.