Sheila “Merrill” Stukbauer, age 79, of Chardon, Ohio, passed away into the loving arms of the Lord on April 9, 2021 with peace in her heart surrounded by her family at home.

Merrill was born on May 15, 1941 in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada to Ronald and Janet (nee: Brown) O’Brien. Merrill’s sense of humor and mischievous grin began as a child and stayed with her until her last breath. Growing up in eastern Canada, she enjoyed summers in Richibucto, New Brunswick with her family. Merrill and her family moved to London, Ontario Canada where she graduated from Catholic Central High School and obtained a degree in business from Westervelt College. After living and working in Toronto, Ontario for several years, Merrill accepted a job that brought her to Cleveland, Ohio. It was there that she met her husband, James. Together they settled in Chardon, Ohio and raised their twins Mark and Maggie. Raising her children and being a grandmother was her greatest pleasure and she never missed an opportunity to attend their sporting events and activities. Merrill retired from Maplewood Senior Living (formally Heather Hill Nursing Home) after 32 years of employment. She had such a special way of connecting with the residents and their families and loved her time there, never for one day considering it “work”. She never met a stranger, and her infectious giggle and sarcastic one-liners are just a few of the memories that she leaves with those who knew and loved her.

Merrill is survived by her daughter, Maggie (Brian) McCoy; son, Mark Stukbauer; sisters, Katherine O’Brien, Judith (John) O’Brien, Christine (Stephen) Goodman; brother, Sean (Denise) O’Brien and grandchildren, Adam, Brody, Kyle, and Courtney. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald and Janet O’Brien, brother Mark O’Brien and former husband James Stukbauer.

Friends are invited to say their final goodbye from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at The Church of St. Mary, 401 North Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024. The service will be live streamed from the Church of St. Mary website. https://youtu.be/WaQQoFnbs2M

The family suggest contributions be made in Merrill’s memory to Hospice of the Western Reserve,17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44110-2602 or www.hospicewr.org.