Grace Marie Sherk

It is with a deep sense of loss that we announce the passing of Grace M. Sherk on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.  She passed peacefully in her home at Grossmont Gardens in La Mesa, CA at the age of 104 years and five months.

Born on a farm in Prescott, Pennsylvania on November 16, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Walter Simon and Bessie Mae (Hower) Deck and the younger sister of the late Beulah Elizabeth Troutman Lutz.

After school and during summers, in addition to helping on the farm, she assisted several families with housework and childcare.  Since her parents were tenant farmers, they moved several times during her childhood. In 1933 her parents purchased a farm in Kutztown. This enabled Grace to finish her education at Myerstown High School, graduating in the Class of 1938.

In 1937 she met the love of her life, Ervin J. Sherk, and after dating for 6-1/2 years they married on Christmas Day 1943.  In 1944, while Ervin was in basic training at Camp Wolters, Mineral Wells, TX, Grace worked for the post master of Mineral Wells.  Ervin was sent to Europe and fought in the Battle of the Bulge; Grace returned to Pennsylvania and worked in a shoe factory.

When their only child, Janice Grace, was born in 1947, Grace became a stay-at-home mother.  She returned to work in 1959 at a local knitting mill.  After several years Grace began working for Sterling Drug Corporation in the Bayer aspirin plant in Myerstown and retired from there in 1983.

She and Ervin loved to travel and attended many Army reunions of the 87th Infantry Division which included several cruises and a trip to Europe in 1976 where they revisited the route the 87th had taken during the war.  They also enjoyed volunteering in R.S.V.P. of Lebanon County and the American Red Cross.

They loved to spend time at their mountain home in northern PA.  Ervin was an avid hunter and spent hunting season in their home-away-from-home with Grace going along to do the cooking.  They traveled to Proctor near Williamsport, PA all through the year so they could enjoy the beauty of the seasons.  It wasn't unusual to see both of them on riding mowers as they cut the nearly one-acre lawn.

On June 27, 2006 Ervin suddenly passed away and Grace remained in her home and enjoyed tending her small garden.  In 2010 Grace decided to move to San Diego to be closer to her daughter, Janice G. Klick, her son-in-law Larry E. Klick and grandson David M. Klick.

Grace lived at Grossmont Gardens for 14 years and made many friends during that time.  She had a strong faith, a wonderful sense of humor and was always willing to assist people when they needed help.  Everyone said she had a positive attitude, a warm smile, sparkling blue eyes, and never looked her age.  She helped in the community's library for six years.  Grace enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, reading, crocheting, word search puzzles and a game called Crazy Dice.

In addition to Larry, Janice and David, she is survived by a niece, Helen Ernst, of Wyomissing, PA.

As per her request, a memorial service will be held in her home church of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 28, 2025 with the Rev. Angela Hammer officiating.  Following the 11:00 a.m. service, she will be laid to rest next to her husband of 63 years in the Schaefferstown Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 278, Schaefferstown, PA 17088.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Grossmont Gardens for the love, care and friendships they shared with Grace over the years and to Radiant Hospice, San Diego, CA who showed such loving care and compassion during Grace's last days.