Sharon E. Bishop

Mrs. Sharon E. Bishop, of Bay City, passed away after a short illness with her husband, sons, daughter and grandchildren by her side, on Thursday evening, January 23, 2014 at McLaren Bay Region, age 76. The daughter of the late Hamilton & Clara (Rybak) Pennell, she was born March 23, 1937 in Bay City. Sharon was a graduate of Bay City Central High School and attended Bay City Junior College. On June 27, 1959 Sharon married Garry W. Bishop and he survives her passing. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where she was an active volunteer for many years. Sharon first worked at Dow Chemical in Midland and then as an administrative assistant with the Bay City Public Schools for 20 years. She was very active with the Mother of Twins Club. Sharon enjoyed crafts and going up north to the family cabin. But more than anything she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Sharon is survived by her husband of 54 years, Garry W. Bishop; their four children, Bryan (Amy) Bishop of Bay City, Melissa (John) Nixon of Bay City, Mark (Jennifer) Bishop of Traverse City and Matt (Tammy) Bishop of Indian River; eight grandchildren, Lauren, Jeffrey & Andrew Nixon, Colin, Aidan & Sinead Bishop and Alysha & Hunter Bishop; two sisters, Mary (Gene) Niedzwiecki of Gaylord and Penny (Ron) Nuechterlein of Northville; two brothers, Terry (Mary) Pennell and Tim (Lois) Pennell both of Bay City; a sister-in-law, Elaine Paeth of Bay City; a brother-in-law, Richard (Agatha) Bishop of Freeland; and several nieces & nephews. Besides her parents, Sharon was also preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank & Laura Bishop; a sister, Beverly (Carl) Doan; two brothers-in-law, Albert Paeth and Frank (Marilyn) Bishop; and a niece, Pamela Doan. The Funeral & Committal Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2014 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Officiating will be Rev. Matthew Schramm. Private interment will be in Floral Gardens Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Sunday from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Bishop will lie instate at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to Bay City Central High School Booster Club or Westminster Presbyterian Church. www.gephartfuneralhome.com