Evelyn D. Sheets

When reflecting on the life of Evelyn D. Sheets, it is easy to see that she was all about family. She was a hardworking woman in everything she did, yet she also made the time to enjoy life along the way. A devoted wife and mother, Evelyn was filled with unspeakable joy to witness her family tree blossom to include not only grandchildren but great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren as well. In addition to her family, the farm was near and dear to her heart. Life will never be the same without Evelyn here, but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

Nearly a century has passed since our nation faced the realities of WWI. Although we had hopes of remaining neutral, those hopes were dashed when repeated hostiles in the Pacific Ocean left us with no hope but to engage in the fight in order to preserve the freedoms we still enjoy today. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1918 when Chester Earl and Lela Mae (Souder) Sumney were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Evelyn D. on March 30th. Born in Columbia City, Indiana, she was the second of five Sumney children as she was raised in the family home on East Ellsworth Street in town alongside her siblings, Pauline, Charles S., Willadene, and Paul. Evelyns father was a pastor around Collins, and she was raised in the First Church of God. While growing up Evelyn worked out in the muck fields picking onions and beets, instilling a strong work ethic within her. She also attended Mary Raber Elementary School and graduated from Columbia City High School in 1936. In high school she received state awards in both typing and shorthand.

Not to be forgotten during her years in school was Evelyns introduction to the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Jacob W. Sheets, Jr., and they met while she was working at the Blue Bell jean factory during her senior year in high school. They began dating, and with a desire to spend the rest of their lives together they were married on August 29, 1936, at the parsonage of Rev. Marion Shroyer.

The newlyweds moved to a farmhouse in Jefferson Township. After four years, they rented a farm in Bluffton, Indiana, for a few years. By the fall of 1943, Evelyn and Jacob had purchased the farmhouse in Washington Township and moved back to Whitley County. This was the place she called home for the rest of her life. Between living in the three farm houses, they raised their six children: Sharon, Betty, David, Charles, Donna, and Cassandra. Evelyn was a talented seamstress who made lots of clothing for her growing children. She made it seem effortless to be a wife and mother while also working outside of the farm and helping her husband with their family farm as well. Evelyn was his righthand person, and she was there for whatever he needed.

Life in the Sheets family was always a bustle of activity. A typical vacation for the family was to be out driving around after first having stopped to get a roll of bologna, cheese, and crackers to eat as they took in the scenery. The bulk of their travels were centered around competitions for horse pulling. The Sheets clan also went to the state fairs in Indiana and traveled up to Centerville and Cassopolis, Michigan, for horse racing and horse pulling. They raised registered Belgian horses and took them to the fairs and parades. They butchered and processed their own beef cattle, and Evelyn was amazing in the kitchen. She loved hosting family gatherings and was known as the noodle queen to her family as her homemade noodles were second to none. Evelyn also made fantastic pies, mouthwatering roasts with gravy, and oyster stew that was a family favorite. Whenever she cooked, she always served herself last so that everyone would get their fill, and there was always more than enough to go around.

For the most part both Evelyn and Jacob loved being home with their family. They did once go away for a week without their children, only they came home early after only a few days fishing at Rice Lake, surprising their children. Evelyn and her husband traveled to visit their sons who were serving in the military and were stationed outside of the Midwest. Her final trip away from the Midwest was last year as she drove to Virginia with a grandson for another grandsons wedding. She just loved the scenery out East and thought it was a beautiful place. Although she enjoyed cooking, she liked eating out at Pizza Hut as well as eating heaping piles of crab legs. No matter what was on Evelyns plate, she would always eat everything. In celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary, she was thrilled to have a beautiful anniversary party since they exchanged their vows at the pastors home as weddings were not as common back then. They were also lucky enough to celebrate their 50th and 60th anniversaries.

Although her life was primarily spent on the farm, Evelyn did keep busy with a few other things. While her children were growing up she worked at Coil Engineering in Roanoke for 10 years. After they shut down, she continued to work at MEMCORE in Huntington for the next few years. Evelyn and her husband had been members of Washington Center EUB and Pleasant Chapel EUB as well as the National Farmers Organization and the North American Belgian Draft Horse Association. To relax, Evelyn enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, and playing Aggravation with her family.

All who knew Evelyn Sheets would agree that she was one of the sweetest people around. She was a great conversationalist who made everyone feel welcome as she accepted everyone without condition. It was easy to see that her faith was her moral compass, and Evelyns love for her family was unmatched. Farming was a way of life for her, and her work ethic was beyond inspiring. Deeply loved, Evelyn will be forever missed.

Evelyn D. Sheets, 98 of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at Millers Merry Manor in Huntington where she had been for the past month. Evelyns family includes her children, Sharon (Keith) Brown, of Huntington, Betty Bellman, of Bremen, David (Elaine) Sheets, of Columbia City, Charles (Charlene) Sheets, of Huntington, Donna Dial, of Woodburn, and Cassandra (Daniel) Rhoades, of Avilla; sister, Willadene Thompson, of Ft. Wayne; brother, Paul Sumney, of South Carolina; 19 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and 21 great-great-grandchildren. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jacob Sheets, Jr. in 2005; sister, E. Pauline Bennett; brother, Charles Sumney; and an infant great-great-granddaughter.

Visitation is 1-5 p.m. Sunday, December 4, 2016, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Chris Moore of the Roanoke Brethren Churchofficiating. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Nolt Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimers Association. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.