On Thursday, September 26th, Sharon Lee (Root) Rocker, 82, passed away peacefully at Appledorn Assisted Living Center. In her last few days, she was surrounded by her family and several friends from the Holland community. Sharon was born on June 21st, 1942, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Donald and Ruth Shirley Root. She met her husband William F. Rocker Sr. during their first year of university and they married in 1965. She cherished her two children William F. Rocker Jr. and Bethany Christine (Rocker) Molitz.

Sharon was a lifelong learner and inspirational teacher, who received her bachelor's and master's degree from Western Michigan University. While in university, she was a Kappa Phi Methodist sorority member. After earning her bachelor's degree in English and Secondary Education, she moved to Holland with her husband William F. Rocker to build their family and careers. Later in her life, she received her Master of Arts in English. Sharon was passionate about literacy and education and was a beloved English teacher at Holland High School for 35 years. She made a lasting impact on several students and fellow teachers.

Outside of her career as an English teacher, Sharon was a dedicated community member, devoting her time to organizations such as Community Action House, National Honor Society, American Association of University Women, and Girl Scouts.

Sharon was an active member at her church, the First United Methodist Church, where she strengthened her values through community service, Stephen Ministries, church choir groups, and as a youth group leader. She also worked as a Congregational Care Minister and co-founded the FUN School, the First United Methodist nursery school program. Sharon enjoyed participating in book clubs, educational conferences, traveling abroad, visiting their property in northern Michigan, and spending time with family and lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-seven years, William F. Rocker, in 2022, her brother Thomas Alan Root, and her parents Donald and Ruth Shirley Root.

Sharon is survived by her son Bill Rocker Jr., and daughter-in-law, Heather Rocker, daughter Bethany Christine Molitz, and son-in-law, Rob Molitz, her grandchildren Ella Rocker, Martha Rocker, and Anne Else, step-grandchildren Lexi and Andrew Petter, and Michael and Jacob Molitz, her brother Donald Root Jr., and sister-in-law Linda Root, sister-in-law Barbara Root, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 19th, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Holland. Memorial donations may be made to Holland First United Methodist Church and/or Refresh Ministries, a joint effort between Community Action House and the Holland First United Methodist Church.