GFWC Swartz Creek Women’s Club members Penny Messer and Boots Abrams, funeral home founder Roger Sharp, club member Terry O’Brien, Sharp Operations Manager Mike Scully, and club members Sandi Brill, Ken Brill and Wanda Tyler are pleased to see the grandfather clock finally in its forever home.
SWARTZ CREEK – The grandfather clock that has graced the lobby of Swartz Creek’s city hall has finally been moved to its forever home at the new Sharp Funeral Home.
In the aftermath of the May 15, 2018, fire that destroyed the funeral home, the GFWC Swartz Creek Women’s Club went to work collecting donations from the community to replace the grandfather clock, as a gesture and symbol of support for funeral home founder Roger Sharp and his family.
Club members presented the clock to Sharp on Dec. 8. Greg Burton and Lucas Lentner, of Frankenmuth Clock Company, relocated the clock Thursday.
“No one has ever done anything like this for us before, and it’s certainly appreciated,” said Sharp. “I appreciate it and I love it.”
Club member Boots Abrams said it was only fitting since Sharp has done so much for the Swartz Creek community. Another club member, Penny Messer, said Sharp and his family and staff have been a blessing to many area families.
Lucas Lentner and Greg Burton, of Frankenmuth Clock Company, pack up the delicate clockworks in preparation for the relocation. Photos by Lania Rocha
Club President Sandi Brill said it feels “awesome” to finally see the clock where it belongs.
“It’s wonderful knowing how much it means to Roger, because Roger means so much to us,” Brill said.
The bombe-style clock has an embassy cherry finish over hardwood, with carved leaf accents. The dial and case are illuminated, and it plays the Westminster chimes on the quarter hour.
The Women’s Club raised more than $3,000 to purchase the clock, which bears a small golden plate stating that it was a gift from the club and the community. The donation was made possible through the generosity of the Frankenmuth Clock Company, which reduced the cost by $2,600.
The clock now sits in the west corridor and is visible from the expansive lobby. The lobby is anchored by a fireplace located in the center of the room, which also features a cathedral ceiling.
Just a few steps from the clock, a tile mosaic depicting a landscape is framed against one wall, standing out from the subdued tones of the rest of the artwork.
Years ago, it was part of a Flint funeral home where Sharp apprenticed. He saved the artwork when that building was demolished, and displayed it in his Swartz Creek chapel.
After the fire, Sharp said, his family salvaged what was left of the damaged mosaic and had it restored.
Sharp, who also has funeral chapels in Fenton, Linden and Grand Blanc Township, will have an open house so the community can tour the new funeral home from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 8.