Sharon Stites

Sharon LeeAnn Stites, 80, of Williamsburg, Michigan, died on November 14, 2025. She was born on August 6, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, to Willard G. and Doris (Wichern) Egeler.

She grew up in Lake Leelanau on her family’s farm and attended Leland High School.

After graduation, Sharon worked for various employers in Traverse City including Woolworth’s and Burwood Products. She then worked for the State of Michigan for over 20 years until her retirement.

Sharon met her beloved husband, Douglas “Pete” Stites, Jr. at a dance held at the VFW hall in Lake Leelanau. They married on March 28, 1964, in Traverse City and then had two beautiful daughters, Tina and Sandy. In 1976, Pete and Sharon built their home on a parcel of land previously part of the Stites family farm in Yuba.

Sharon and Pete loved going on camping trips in their travel trailer with their group of friends throughout Michigan and especially in Benzie County. They also travelled to Texas during the brisk winter months for several years.

Sharon loved country and western music, sewing clothes for her daughters when they were young, cooking and baking, and her family. She loved her grandkids and great grandkids, who were the highlight of her life; she loved them dearly.

She is survived by her husband, Douglas “Pete” George Stites, Jr.; daughters, Tina (Vernon) LaLone and Sandra (Jeffery) Send; grandkids, Mandi (Charles) Williams, Vernon (Sarah) L. LaLone, and Benjamin LaLone; great grandkids, Hunter Jeffery Williams and Aiden Charles Williams; and many other loved ones.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, two siblings, a niece and a nephew.

The family will have a private Celebration of Life to remember the beautiful life Sharon lived.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more.