Sheila Faye Brewbaker

Sheila Faye Brewbaker, age 72, of Onaway, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on March 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Sheila was born on September 10, 1953, in Tower, Michigan, to Alfred F. Richards and Faye D. (Whitman) Richards. She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her siblings, Rose Kile, Cynthia Richards, and Duane Richards.

She married the love of her life, Larry Forest Brewbaker, on October 19, 1972. Together they built a beautiful life rooted in devotion, laughter, adventure, and more than fifty years of unwavering partnership.

Sheila is survived by her beloved husband, Larry; her children, Shemayne Brewbaker-Prow (Kevin Prow), Lareesa Haggerty (John Haggerty), Christel Brewbaker, and Larry D. Brewbaker (Rosalie Brewbaker); and her cherished grandchildren, Paul Wolgast, Brooke Verville, Andrew Wolgast, Laney Woiderski, Scarlett Prow, Shelby Woiderski, Gavrielle Woiderski, Zander Brewbaker, Colton Prow, Leah Brewbaker, Jayden Haggerty, Evan Brewbaker, Lynkin Woiderski, and Wyatt Haggerty, as well as many great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister, Judy Stevens (Leaton Stevens), whose faithful visits and steadfast presence were a comfort and blessing to Sheila throughout her illness. Sheila loved each member of her family fiercely and took great pride in their lives.

Sheila dedicated part of her career to serving as an OB nurse at Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, where she held the hands of countless mothers and helped welcome new life into the world. Caring for others came naturally to her. Whether in the hospital or at home, she gave generously, often quite literally giving the shirt off her back to someone in need.

At home, Sheila brought joy to ordinary days. She loved cleaning while dancing, singing, and clapping along to her favorite country songs. Her laughter was infectious, filling every room with warmth. She was an avid reader, a devoted gardener, and a familiar face at craft fairs, where she happily spent hours browsing and visiting.

She and Larry shared a deep love of travel and adventure. Together they explored the country, cruised the open sea, spent winters in Florida at their Port Charlotte condo, rode their motorcycle to Sturgis year after year, and sought out live music wherever they could find it so Sheila could dance. They walked together daily and embraced life side by side. Their travels often became treasured family traditions, from hunting trips in the mountains of Colorado to celebrating Mardi Gras in Louisiana.

Sheila was rarely without her camera. Family members can still hear her voice saying, "Where's my camera?!" as she hurried to capture a butterfly on a flower, a fawn in the yard, or a child with a dirt-smudged face. After every trip, she delighted in gathering her children and grandchildren to share slideshows of the hundreds of photographs she had taken, preserving moments so they would never be forgotten.

Above all, Sheila was kind. Deeply, instinctively kind. She loved her family with her whole heart and poured that love into every hug, every meal, every photograph, and every adventure.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no traditional funeral service. A celebration of Sheila's life will be held this summer, where family and friends will gather to honor her memory in the joyful spirit she embodied.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Sheila's life are encouraged to donate to a charity of their choosing, especially one that tugs at their heartstrings, just as she so often did.

Her legacy lives on in the lives she helped bring into the world, the family she cherished, and the countless memories she captured and carried with her generous heart.