Sharry Meyers Reigle

July 21, 2019 marks the date of the loss to the world of Sharry Meyers Reigle. This remarkable woman began her life on a snowy day in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. On that December, in 1947, the world received the gift of an angel. She was the adored daughter of Artena Lannen Myers and Harry Meyers. Not long after her birth, she was brought to her mother’s home town of Massillon, Ohio where she grew up. When Sharry was very young her mother remarried, and Carl Nodo became her step-father. She was the blue-eyed blonde child everyone loved especially her Aunt Jeanne Lannen Smith. She grew up with her cousins Sandra and Lynda Smith – Blankenship and is considered by them to be their Sister. She was the youngest of them and both agree she was the best of them. Sharry attended Massillon schools, then moved to Jackson where she graduated High School. She always considered herself to be a Massillon Tiger. On September 17, 1966, Sharry married Dwight Charles Reigle and they spent the last 53 years loving and taking care of one another. Sharry and Dwight had two biological children; Jayson and Carla. They also fostered many children over the years always providing a wonderful home and so much love. In her busy life of loving and caring for her family, Sharry made time to attend Kent State and minister to those who benefited from her loving hands when she worked at the Cardiac Care Center at Mercy Hospital. She was inspired to the nursing field by her Aunt Jeanne, and in turn, inspired her daughter Carla to the same profession. Carla went on to achieve her PhD in Nursing and become a professor and Fulbright Scholar. Sharry’s face shined whenever she spoke of it. Sharry had just returned from a trip to visit her daughter Carla Reigle Fry, Carla’s partner William Curtis Dawkins, and her beloved granddaughter Olivia Jordan Fry in Key West, Florida. Sharry and Olivia shared a love of makeup, jewelry, and art. This created a unique bond between them, and Olivia will surely carry on the cool things her Mimi did to make the world a more beautiful place. Sharry also had two step-grandchildren Blake and Brandon who she loved very much. Brandon is a professional baseball player, and Blake is in school to become a paramedic and firefighter. They will miss their Mimi very much. Sharry’s son, Jayson Charles Reigle is a terrific drywall craftsman and lives nearby in Canton, Ohio. Sharry loved cooking for him, and they share the same big heart and beautiful blue eyes. She was like a mother to all of Jay’s friends. Sharry always loved children and children loved her. Many may not know that she wrote some children’s stories and had them published. She was loved by an extended family whose children she cared for over the years. Melissa Morgan, Kelly Halkett, and Ann Thorn all had the distinct pleasure of calling Sharry their nanny, friend, and surrogate mom. Sharry loved a party and always brought the best food. She was bright and cheery even when she was in pain. She was the biggest cheerleader for so many of us leaving a void that can never be filled. She spent the last full day of her life celebrating the wedding of a beloved niece, Angela.

Sharry’s death came quickly, but her health struggles were not new. She was so strong and never complained. In her own way, she had been saying goodbye for some time, although those who love her refused to believe this day could come. Now her pain is at an end, and ours begins. Sharry loved flowers but would not ask you to send any in her memory, instead she would ask you to hold your loved ones close and tell them how much they mean to you. She would ask you to be kind to one another and to the stranger as well. She lived her life with a grace few can match, but in her name, we will never stop trying to be as good as she always was. Her yahoo messenger name was “Sunshine Sharry” and she will always be remembered for her amazing ability to forgive, her smile, her humor and the joy she brought to every life she touched. Fly on Dear Angel, you have earned your rest.