The DeKalb County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Sharon Sue Betts Wiggins Mier Scholarship Fund, honoring the values of Sharon Mier on the occasion of her eighty fifth birthday. The Fund contributes to the educational expenses of a graduating DeKalb High School senior with financial need who demonstrates the qualities of integrity, honesty, hard work, and grit, attending any 2-year college or trade school in any area of study. The scholarship opens for applications in 2025 at dekalbccf.org/scholarship.
Born in McLeansboro, Illinois, on April 27, 1939, Sharon’s family migrated north to DeKalb when she was three for improved job opportunities. Her story begins with humble roots during a time when women were not encouraged to think about college or careers. Years later, her story blossomed as one of overcoming her early environment to excel.
Sharon worked as the first full-time secretary at First Baptist Church in DeKalb during the last semester of high school. She became secretary to the director of housing at Northern Illinois University. Sharon met her first husband, E. Foster Wiggins, at NIU, and they moved east in 1964 to Rhode Island. While he was in graduate school, she worked as the administrative assistant to the chief electrical engineer of commissioned submarines at Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, where she held an Atomic Energy Commission secret security clearance. After having children, Sharon earned an associate’s degree with high honors in liberal studies from Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1985, with a particular interest in thanatology and became a hospice volunteer for eight years. Her son David is currently finishing his studies to become a funeral director. Her daughter Lisa, an award-winning elementary educator, is successfully raising Sharon’s grandsons, Jack and Shane, now in their college years.
In retirement, Sharon has honed her hospitality skills by hosting many church study and support groups in her home. She was instrumental in starting new groups in the church and community to help participants grow in the spirituality of aging. As a deacon, Sharon helped the church develop its ministry of caring by organizing care teams and crafting unique and personalized homemade greeting cards.
Following her husband’s death, Sharon was a widow for ten years. She married Rev. Dr. Donald S. Mier, an American Baptist pastor, in 2016. “My wife is a proud, though quiet, member of DeKalb High School’s Class of 1957 who forged her path without any extra help or guidance,” he said. “This scholarship is in Sharon’s honor and assists any student who might need encouragement in taking the next step in their development.”
“We applaud Sharon’s amazing accomplishments and appreciate her partnership to assist generations of DeKalb High School Barbs to fulfill their professional and life goals through ongoing education,” said Dan Templin, Community Foundation Executive Director.
Donations to any Fund at the Community Foundation, including the Sharon Sue Betts Wiggins Mier Scholarship Fund, can be made online at dekalbccf.org/donate or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or to start your charitable Fund, please contact Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.