Sharon Charlene Schroer, 91, of Rochester, passed peacefully on the morning of July 6—just days after celebrating Independence Day and singing along to all her favorite patriotic songs!
Charlene was born to Mary Tilden Dick and Carl Dick on March 16, 1935 in Akron, Indiana. Her fondest childhood memories always included her big sister Patricia, her most cherished Grandparents Tilden, her dear mother Mary and loving stepfather Roger Wright, and her young stepbrother Fred.
In her youth she was a cheerleader and a twirler, delighted to serve in the limelight! She also enjoyed popping the popcorn at her stepfather’s theater in town, catching movies and newsreels through the late 1940s and early ‘50s. Always proud of her Akron roots, Charlene maintained close relationships with her Flyer classmates throughout her life.
Charlene married William “Bill” Schroer on the day after Christmas in 1955 and in the next few years welcomed their daughters Debbie and Cindy. The Schroers built a life around serving the Rochester community. Charlene spent 42 years as a radiology technician at Woodlawn Hospital and was a steadfast member of St. John Lutheran Church, which the Schroer family helped to establish. She was an active member of Tri Kappa and volunteered at the local polls on Election Day.
We iconically remember her cheering at Bill’s side during Zebra games, singing loudly from the front pew at St. John’s, and in her retirement years, tooling around town in her Buick as her dog sat tall in the passenger seat. We hear her humming, feel her “hold tights,” and taste her famous mashed potatoes. We see her warm smile, dimpled with that trademark hint of mischief!
To know Charlene was to feel loved by her, even through her latter days. She radiated joy and brought sunshine into every room. She saw beauty in all places and reveled in sharing it: a fluffy cloud bursting from a vast blue sky or the way the leaves flutter when rain is imminent. And she was always leaning on her charm and legendary whimsy just to watch the world crack a smile!
She remains deeply loved here on earth by her daughters Debbie Habig (Rick) and Cindy Cerami (Cordy), grandchildren Kelsey Habig, William “Gus” Habig (Lauren), Joe Cerami, and Matt Cerami, two great granddaughters Alice and Frances, and her precious dog Chatti, as well as many extended family and friends collected over her 91 years.
Debbie and Cindy welcome your visit on Tuesday, July 14, from 5-7pm at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Friends may also visit one hour before 11am services on Wednesday, July 15 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 404 Jefferson St., Rochester. Pastor Curtis May will officiate. Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery Rochester where she will rest next to her beloved husband Bill.
In honor of Charlene’s resounding love for all her lifetime pets... and her family’s pets… and her neighbors’ pets… and strangers’ pets… memorial contributions may be made to the Fulton County Animal Adoption & Education Center, 1540 N. Wentzel St., Rochester, https://www.fultoncoanimalcenter.org/ Online expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.goodfamilyfh.com
