Shari R. Etzel, 45, of Bad Axe, died unexpectedly Friday, January 20, 2017 at McLaren Bay Region, Bay City with her loving family at her side.  She was born August 15, 1971 in Pigeon to Samuel and JoAnne (Fogle) Babcock.  She married Jeffrey Martin Etzel October 2, 1999 in the First United Methodist Church in Bad Axe.

Shari graduated from North Huron High School in 1989.  She attended Michigan State University graduating in 1994 with a Master's Degree in Speech and Language Pathology.  Shari began her career as a dedicated Speech Pathologist with the Huron Intermediate School District and has served in that capacity her entire career.  In that time, she serviced thousands of students at the Huron Learning Center and most recently at Bad Axe Elementary School.  She was always affectionately known as "Mrs. Shari" to all of her students and their families.  Her passion to teach was matched only by her compassion for her students.  In addition to her daily student devotion, Shari was known for advocating for the full potential of each of her students.

Shari had the knack of making others feel like gold.  She always listened to others, never left anyone out, and had a real passion for serving her community which translated into years of volunteer service.  She was a current member of the Bad Axe Athletic Boosters and had previously served on the Sonshine Daycare Kids board.  She was a member of Bad Axe Free Methodist Church and enjoyed volunteering at vacation bible school.

Shari enjoyed reading, walking and her scrapbooking weekends with her special school friends.  She spent endless summer hours tending to her multiple flower gardens.  Shari was a very devoted mother and wife, always placing their needs above her own.  With her two active children, she found great joy traveling around the state watching Connor and Morgan participate in softball, baseball, basketball and soccer.

Although residing in Bad Axe since marriage.  Shari's home was always Port Austin.  Family was important to Shari and she visited often to spend time with family and her special lifelong friends.  The Port Austin beaches were always a favorite summer destination for Shari and the kids.

Shari is survived by her best friend and husband, Jeffrey Etzel; children: Morgan Etzel, a sophomore at Bad Axe High School, and Connor Etzel, a 7 ^th grader at Bad Axe Middle School; parents: Sam and JoAnne Babcock of Port Austin; sisters: Becki Babcock of Harrison Township, Ashely (Jim) Walczak of Bay City; Jeffrey's parents: William and Joyce Etzel of Dexter; brothers-in-law: Scott (Amy) Etzel of Mason, Mike Etzel of Dexter; nephews: Grady Walczak, Cooper Walczak, Cameron Etzel and Noah Etzel.

Funeral service for Shari will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church with Pastor Jerry Sutton officiating.  Burial will take place later at Colfax Township Cemetery.  Pallbearers for Shari: Becki Babcock, Ashley Walczak, Scott Etzel, Mike Etzel, Jim Walczak and Amy Etzel.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 from 2 to 8 p.m. in MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe and Wednesday, January 25, 2017 from 10 a.m. until time of service in the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church.

Memorials may be made to the Bad Axe Athletic Boosters.

Condolences can be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com