Dorothy Joanne Sheler

Dorothy Joanne DeBoer Zylstra Sheler entered her eternal rest on February 8, 2026, at the age of 86.

Dorothy was the sixth of six daughters of John K and Dora (Leestma) DeBoer. She was the youngest sister of the well-known DeBoer Girls of London St. SW of Grand Rapids—known for their beauty, intelligence, and feistiness, aka stubbornness. This is the last of the DeBoer girls; it is the end of that generation.

Dorothy’s formal education spanned more than four decades. She graduated from Southwest Christian School in 1954, Grand Rapids Christian High in 1957, Butterworth School of Nursing in 1960, Aquinas College in 1976, Grand Valley State University with a Master of Education in1981 and a Master of Science in Nursing in 1991.

She was a faculty member of the Butterworth School of Nursing from 1962 until its closing in 1985 with specialization in Operating Room Nursing. Dorothy’s influence spans the globe through the many nurses that she taught. She was forever a nurse and lifelong learner, a voracious reader, lover of music, aficionado of philosophy, and a proficient piano player.

Dorothy had no biological children. She lived with her loving second husband, Dale Sheler, until his death in 2024, and shared the house with her stepson Dale Jr. Although virtually homebound for many years, she actively engaged in the lives of her stepchildren, their children and grandchildren, and her many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews through numerous texts and telephone calls. She also loved and was loved by many Irish setters and golden retrievers, with the most recent dog being Kat.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husbands Jon D. Zylstra and Dale A. Sheler, sisters Anne, Julia, Jessica, Clara, Irene and their husbands, two nieces and one nephew.

She is survived by her stepchildren Dale A. Sheler Jr. and, Wendy (Mark) Powell, step-granddaughter Lynsey (Kyle) North and their daughter Maeve, and fourteen nephews and nieces along with many grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

There will be no memorial service. A family gathering will be held later to remember and cherish this woman of God. Thanks be to God for Dorothy. “Lord, grant her eternal rest. Let your light perpetually shine upon her” (The Book of Common Prayer).

In lieu of flowers, gifts in celebration of Dorothy's life may be made to:

1. Harbor Humane Society, 14345 Bagley St. West Olive, MI 49460 
2. The Judith S. Pratt Nontraditional Nursing Scholarship at Grand Valley State University for students holding a previous bachelor's degree. Institutional Advancement, Grand Valley State University, L.V. Eberhard Center, 9th floor, 301 Fulton St. West, P.O. Box 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501