Sharon Kay Mehl

Sharon Kay Mehl, 66, of Galesburg, Michigan, died peacefully on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo with her family in attendance.

Sharon was born on January 2, 1956, in Saginaw, Michigan, to John G. Mehl (stepmother, Ollie Mae Thompson Clift) and Betty L. (Christensen) Mehl. Her parents are deceased. She was the fourth of six children:  John A. Mehl (deceased); Gary L. Mehl (Pamela Serbantez); Timothy L. Mehl (Patricia Barrett); Linda L. Mehl; and Susan E. Mehl. She is also survived by her nieces Corrie Mehl and Kelly Mehl (Demetrius Bright), and her nephews Aaron (Heather) Mehl and their children Jordan and Reagan, and Andrew (Rebekka) Mehl and their children Jakob and Hanna. Her extended family was large: 17 aunts and uncles between her mother and father’s sides of the family, and all the cousins, too numerous to count.

Sharon loved her roles as daughter, sister, aunt and great-aunt. She was an animal lover, particularly her beloved collies. She and sister Linda took great joy in the breed, raising many litters, and training them and their adoptive owners in obedience.  Her last companions were Ginny, a sable, and Kenzie, a blue merle; her favorite collie was Jamie, a beautiful tri-color male, who was her devoted companion for many years. She could name every one of the collies they bred and raised, which numbered over 60.

Sharon was a 25-year member of the Collie Club of America. She also achieved the equivalent of a B.S. degree with all her training in canine sciences, including genetics, behavior, grooming, obedience and confirmation.  Sharon was a 1974 graduate of Lakeview High School in Battle Creek.

Sharon loved to read, particularly romances and fantasy, and was an avid collector of books, including rare and first editions.

Sharon was always interested in the lives of others, insisting on hearing all the details of someone’s latest travel journey, their gardening successes and failures, and of course, the dog stories. She relished being able to see photos from her friends and family, especially in her later years when travel became difficult.

Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Paw Paw will be private.  A memorial Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, August 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Gary and Pam Mehl, 11431  4 Mile Road, Battle Creek, MI, with light refreshments afterward. Please bring a lawn chair with to help with seating. Arrangements are being handled by Adams Funeral Home in Paw Paw, Michigan. The family requests no flowers, but donations can be made to Centrica Care Navigators (Formerly Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan) or the Collie Club of America.