Arliss Sheerin

When reflecting on the life of Arliss Sheerin words such as gracious, kindhearted, and genuine come to mind. However, perhaps the word that paints the most vivid picture of her is the word selfless. Arliss was deeply devoted to her family, and she lived her life to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. Second only to her faith was her family, and there was nothing she treasured more than making her husband, children, and grandchildren each feel uniquely loved. Although she will be deeply missed, Arliss leaves behind a priceless collection of moments that will be treasured memories for years to come.

It was great to be an American during the decade that we commonly recall as the Roaring Twenties. It was a different world than today. The radio was just being introduced and not everyone had a telephone or a car or even electricity. In this simpler time was when Marshall and Letha (Smith) Calthrop were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Arliss on July 10, 1922, in Prairieville Township, Michigan. She was the older of two children in her family as she was raised alongside her sister, Marva. Because her parents were farmers, Arliss learned what it meant to work hard while growing up as she helped with her fair share of farm chores. Most times she was her father’s sidekick who was working right alongside of him.

In many ways Arliss was a young girl of her generation. She was close to both her maternal and her paternal set of grandparents. When Arliss had pneumonia as a young girl it was feared she was dying. Her mother prayed asking God not to take her daughter. Just a short time later, her fever broke. Arliss attended local schools and graduated from Delton High School in 1939. She then graduated from Parson’s Business School.

Not to be forgotten during her years in high school was Arliss’ introduction to the young man of her dreams. His name was Carl Sheerin, and they met in algebra class as high school students. Carl always said Arliss was the prettiest girl in Delton schools. Their first date was at a Halloween dance, and they went on to date for a time. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, the sweethearts dedicated their love to one another in marriage at her parents’ home, on May 5, 1943. Together they welcomed one daughter, Ardith “Ardie.” into their hearts and home at Gun Lake. Both Arliss and Carl were very dedicated to their family. Later on they were thrilled to welcome grandchildren into their hearts and home. Arliss was fantastic in the kitchen, and Sunday dinners with meat and mashed potatoes were among her specialties. She also made the most beautiful birthday cakes, and each grandchild got to choose their own design or theme for their birthday cake. Arliss loved their home on Gun Lake, and she was known for weeding the lake and mowing the yard in her bathing suit!

As the years went by Arliss continued to delight in her family. She loved being there for whatever her grandchildren needed. Arliss was the one who typed most of Matthew’s papers for school, and he was so honored to receive mail from her while away at camp as it was always addressed to “Master Matthew Clark.” When they were little Arliss often took her grandchildren to a petting zoo in Bradley called Plank Road Farms where they had so much fun climbing into a silo. Other children at the lake called her grandma as well.

Throughout her life Arliss was one to keep busy. She worked outside of the home, first for Met Life and then for Dermatallic. Arliss then stayed home and did paperwork for Otto Kihm and finally worked as an executive secretary to the director at Michigan Career Technical Institute. She exercised daily, which made it so hard as she got older and needed to slow down. Arliss loved both knitting and sewing, and she was so talented that she made everything from bathing suits to sweaters. She even once set about sewing up the holes in her granddaughter’s husband’s pants, not knowing that they bought them that way! At home she enjoyed playing the piano and singing, and she was an avid Detroit Tigers and Pistons fan. During their retirement years, Carl and Arliss felt fortunate to serve the Lord through the organization SOWERS (Servants on Wheels Ever Ready) based out of Tampa, Florida, as an outreach to those in need there. Arliss was also a member of the Eastern Star.. She and Carl belonged to the Kalamazoo Antique Auto Restore Club and the "Tin Lizzie Club” as he loved going to auctions in search of antique car parts.

Described as detailed, intelligent, and disciplined, Arliss Sheerin was an incredible woman to know and love. She was resourceful and hardworking, and she loved using her time and talents to help others in ways both great and small. A prayer warrior, it was easy to see that Arliss lived by the faith she held dear, and Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 as well as all of the Psalms were among her favorite verses in the Bible often reminding others to give their concerns to God. She was an amazing wife and mother, but there was nothing quite like becoming a grandmother. Arliss told the best stories, and she had a fantastic memory as well. She was there to encourage and support her loved ones, often telling them to never give up and to just take one day at a time. Dearly loved, Arliss will be forever missed.

Arliss L. Sheerin, of Gun Lake, passed away December 30, 2016, surrounded by family. Arliss is survived by her daughter: Ardie (Doug) Clark, of Gun Lake; three grandchildren: Dr. Matthew Clark, of Grand Rapids, Andrew (Tracy) Clark, of Allegan, and Jenny (Jeremiah) Boerman, of Plainwell; five great-grandchildren: Lily, Kayla, and Gavin Clark; and Blake and Beckett Boerman. Arliss was preceded in death by her husband, Carl in 2008, and sister, Marva. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 4th at 4p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home-Plainwell Chapel, 120 S. Woodhams Rd. (269-685-5881). The family will gather with friends starting at 3 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial Oak Hill Cemetery, Orangeville. Please visit Arliss' webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guestbook and share a memory and/or photo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wings of Hope Hospice and Samaritan’s Kitchen at Gun Lake Community Church.