Eldon Bud E. Sheets

Eldon Bud Sheets lived a vibrant life. A faithful husband, loving father, and fun-loving grandfather, he leaves behind a rich legacy of always looking for the silver lining in everything. He was generous with both his time and his valuable resources, leaving each person he knew feeling special in his presence. He had an extraordinary way of helping others and blessing them with his kindness. Bud loved his family and always wished the very best for each and every one of them. He enjoyed many years of attending his children and grandchildrens performances and events and looked forward to celebrating their vast accomplishments. Buds warm personality will be deeply missed by his special family and close friends.

Between the years of 1918 to 1919, the influenza pandemic was known to infect roughly one-third of the planets population and took the lives of an estimated 20 to 50 million people. At the tail end of the Progressive Era, it was a time of widespread social activism and political reform. During the first World War, it was a period of determination to eliminate government corruption, support for Prohibition, and to guarantee a womans right to vote. An exciting time in our nations history, when Evan and Goldie (Walters) Sheets welcomed home their precious baby boy, Eldon on August 23, 1918 in Coesse, Indiana in Union Township. His birth was a sign of much promise and happiness to his family.

During the tender age of adolescence, Bud moved to his Grandpa Walters farm in the beautiful country setting of Marathon, New York. Growing up on the farm taught him the value of a hard days work and gave him a rich love for the outdoors. He attended the local schools and graduated with the Class of 1937 from Marathon High School. Fresh from school, he took a job at a local skate factory making ice skates before enlisting in the United States Army in April of 1941. His service years were spent making artillery and working with heavy machinery while building air strips in the Pacific Islands. Back from the service, he had settled back home in Larwill, Indiana. At the time, his constant companion was his dog, Towser before he met the woman of his dreams; Betty Ann Herron. Eager to spend the rest of their lives together, they were married on June 22, 1947 in Whitley, County. Together they raised six wonderful children. Bud very much enjoyed his role of fatherhood and was always very proud of his children.

As an adult, Bud spent many years working for Nickel Plate Road, a Midwestern railroad company that succumbed to its competitors by the late 1950s. In addition to his time there, he also worked for both Norwalk and Scotts Trucking Service. He and his brother Kenny also played in musical bands and would accompany one another on trips back to New York for their high school reunions. His most recent working years were spent at Passages Inc., in Columbia CIty where the clients and staff loved him.

For enjoyment, Bud loved to offer his many gifts of service by volunteering. He taught woodworking classes at St. Joseph Catholic School in Garrett, Indiana as well at the Red Missions for several years. He also enjoyed going to nursing homes with his brothers, son-in-law, and uncle Roger Kelly to entertain the clients. He loved to bowl on Uncle Don Bairs bowling team as well as the Applewood Signs team for many years. Never one to remain idle, he also loved to pitch horseshoes on leagues and entertain his fellow Lions Club members at special events and parties. One year when he was the Master of Ceremonies at the Tri- Lakes Lions Club Halloween Costume party, he had the crowd roaring with laughter when he took out his notes on a roll of toilet paper! He never minded being the center of attention by pulling pranks and embarrassing his children! Bud was also very active with the American Legion Post 258 in Pierceton, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1892 in Garrett, and the Teamsters Local 414. A true jack-of-all-trades, he was known for serving up his special recipe of homemade apple cider during his favorite season of fall. For relaxation, he enjoyed watching the thrilling Ice Road Truckers reality television show as well as listening to the Grand Ole Opry and the Pops Christmas concert specials. A loving and supportive husband and father, Bud will be lovingly remembered and his precious stories will remain on the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Eldon Bud E. Sheets, age 98, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 8:15 am Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Sacred Heart Nursing Home, Avilla. He was a member of St. Matthews United Methodist Church. Survivors include his children, Buddie E. Sheets, Dewey D. (Annie) Sheets, and John G. (Karen) Sheets all of Columbia City; Harold D. (Blanche) Sheets of Fort Wayne; Jerry L. (Ann) Sheets of Pierceton; Gloria M. (David) Didion of Garrett; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; brothers Raymond Sheets and Keith (Pat) Sheets, both of Warsaw, IN; sisters Mary Corner of Columbia City and Eileen Stewart of South Whitley; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty A. Sheets in 1989, grandson, David M. Didion, great-grandson Javarie, 3 brothers, and 12 sisters. Friends may call on Monday, January 16, 2017 from 3-5 6-8 pm at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services for Bud will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Matthews Hively Cemetery, Columbia City, with Military Rites rendered by American Legion Post 258, Pierceton. Memorial contributions in memory of Bud may be made to the Red Bird Missions. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to sign the online guest register or to send a condolence.