Support the Scharn Family in Their Time of Loss

HELP FOR THE SCHARN FAMILY: Over the recent Labor Day weekend, David and Sherrie Scharn hosted an extended family gathering at their home in Dunstable, MA to celebrate Sherrie’s birthday and their daughter Moriah returning back to college. While they didn’t realize it at the time, for many family members that wonderful occasion and family reunion would be the last time they would see David’s heartwarming smile. Less than two weeks later, all the joy and happiness of being with extended family suddenly turned to shock and disbelief on September 10 when David, a loving husband, father, and friend to so many people, collapsed while walking his dog, Penny, and later died.

David, who grew up in Billerica, MA, was a longtime member of the Dunstable community, a ’78 graduate of Bates College, and a 5th generation member of the Salvation Army. He loved history, music, teaching, hiking, and most importantly, spending time with his family and friends. David leaves behind his beloved wife of 28 years, Sherrie. David was utterly devoted to Sherrie. He always called her Pretty Mama regardless of what she had on or if her hair was a mess. Sherrie is a homemaker who loves to cook and is pursuing a full-time career as a portrait photographer. David also leaves his four children Serena, Jacob, Moriah and Shiloh. David was an extremely involved father to each of his children. David’s extended family considered him father of the year because he always made time for his four children for every milestone and every event. He was never boisterous about anything except for how proud he was of his kids. His oldest daughter, Serena is interning as a multimedia artist. She shares the same brilliant, intellectual, and inquisitive mind as her late father. Jacob is working in the restaurant industry. Jacob has his father’s steady, sentimental demeanor, his love of music and hiking and his philosophical nature. The two youngest children are still in school. Moriah is a legacy student at Bates College following in her father’s footsteps as a member of the track team. She also has his talent for music and is a member of the Bates College Crosstones. Shiloh is a junior at Groton-Dunstable High School. Shiloh inherited David’s unassuming wit, his quiet command of a room and his gentle smirk. David will truly be missed by all who knew him, but none more than his family members. He had the extraordinary gift of leaving his fingerprints on the hearts of everyone he encountered.

No family can ever truly prepare for circumstances like this, especially when a healthy man like David passes away so suddenly. He was authentically selfless and now is our chance to pay it forward. The Scharn family had been going through financial difficulties before this tragedy and now with the only income the family had lost, this GoFundMe page was created to help alleviate the financial burden while the Scharn Family figures out the next chapter during this very difficult time. Besides our emotional support and love, the greatest help we can give is in the form of monetary donations. In life, we are unable to choose the timing or nature of the challenges that arise, but we can decide how we will respond to them. Thank you in advance for any support you can give. The Scharn family would greatly appreciate it!

With Peace and Love-

Melissa Belanger and Wendy Kelly