Lester E. "Pete" Sheets

A hardworking kind of man with unending love for his family, Lester Pete Sheets was an extraordinary man in every way. It could be said that farming was in his blood as he loved to be working his farm, even until his last days. First and foremost in his life, however, was his family. Although he took his roles as a husband and father to heart, Pete just may have argued that being a grandfather was his greatest gift. He was a lifelong and vital part of his community who readily gave of his time and talents to benefit the residents of Whitley County. Life will never be the same without Lester here, but his timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow in his footsteps.

The year 1929 is often remembered as the year that the crash of the stock market sent our nation and much of the world spiraling down into the depths of the Great Depression. The years that followed were anything but easy as the hardship experienced by countless Americans lasted throughout the entire decade. Things only went from bad to worse when a crippling drought blanketed our nations heartland for nearly two years, adding strain to an already stressed agricultural industry. It was just prior to the crash of the stock market that William and Myrta (Boney) Sheets were filled with great anticipation as they eagerly awaited the birth of their baby as the beauty of fall enveloped Whitley County, Indiana. The big day finally arrived on October 20th when their baby boy they named Lester E. drew his first breath in Jefferson Township. He was raised on the family farm alongside his brothers, Morris, Carl, Dale, and Larry, and his sister, Hilda. As a boy Lesters uncle gave him the nickname of Pete, and it stuck since that is how most everyone knew him.

Like so often is the case, farming was a cornerstone in Petes life from the beginning. He lived to work on the farm, and at times his older brother, Carl, even got him out of school so they could farm together. When he did get some free time, Pete loved roller skating at Happy Valley Roller Skating Rink in Columbia City. He also held down his studies at Jefferson Center High School, graduating in 1947.

During the summer the ball diamond in Zanesville had free movies, and it was there that Pete met the young woman with whom he would write a love story that would span 63 years. Her name was Joy Wygant, and they were introduced through mutual friends. She was a bit younger than Pete, but that didnt hinder true love. Not long after meeting he rode a motorcycle over to her parents house and asked her out. Three years later, the sweethearts were married in Union Church, a little rural church a mile east of Zanesville on May 27, 1951. Together Pete and Joy welcomed three children, Jim, Debbie and Pam, into their hearts and home. Farming was his passion, but his family was Petes heartbeat.

Pete loved farming, but he was also willing to work a second job to help support his family when he was not out in the fields. He started working at Raber Grain Elevator south of Columbia City and G.E. Pete retired from Essex Wire after 15 years, but during his retirement years he drove for Covington Meadows Nursing Home, all the while continuing to farm including last fall! It would have been such a difficult decision for Pete not to farm again this spring.

Every August between bailing the hay and preparing for the harvest season while still prior to the Sheets children going back to school, the family took a vacation. Some of their favorite destinations included Florida, Washington, D.C., Yellowstone, and Greeley, Colorado. Their trip to Greeley was particularly memorable since it was just North of Greely that Warren H. Monfort had the worlds first 100,000-head feedlot. To this day, Petes children still remember overlooking this huge operation and climbing in the mountains. Pete and his wife had several friends with whom they played cards games like Euchre and Aggravation. The kids had just as much fun as the adults because they were all close in age and got to hang out while the adults played. Since the farm was a family affair, Pete often treated his children to the drive in theater after they had completed all their chores. He also enjoyed square dancing, and it brought such a smile to his face to be able to dance with his daughters. Pete and his son enjoyed going to tractor pulls together in addition to building their own tractor to compete with. His favorite tractor was his Oliver 1800 that he used on the farm. At the time, it was the biggest tractor the county had. Pete later moved up to an 1850, which he eventually sold to buy his first Case tractor. Even though years have passed, his grandson was able to find the same tractor Pete had once owned.

Later in life Pete was filled with unspeakable joy to welcome grandchildren into the family. He deeply loved each one of his grandchildren and was there to support them in all their activities including in their 4-H events and sporting events as time allowed. As his grandchildren went on to have children of their own, Petes love grew exponentially. His heart swelled with pride to follow his great-grandchildren around in 4-H. Pete talked to his family on a daily basis, and he was sure to visit with them at least once a week. Since he came from a large family, he never liked confrontation and made a point to be a peacemaker.

Between his work on the farm and keeping up with his family, Pete didnt have much free time, but he did have a few other interests. He got involved in making Union Cemetery, just West of Roanoke in Jackson Township of Huntington County where his family has been buried, look its best. Pete and the family often mowed the cemetery. In fact, Pete even talked his daughter, Debbie, into joining the cemetery board. He enjoyed watching college basketball, rooting for IU, and also professional football as a Green Bay Packer fan. In the early nineties, Pete and Joy were even able to attend a Packers game.

Loving, caring, and sentimental, Lester Pete Sheets was a blessing to everyone he met. He loved being a farmer, but nothing was better than being a family man. Pete will never be forgotten.

Lester E. Pete Sheets, of Roanoke, Indiana, died at 11:54 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2015. Petes family includes his wife, Joy Sheets; son, Jim Sheets of Roanoke; daughters, Debbie (Doug) Woods of Markle and Pam (David) Fields of Roanoke; brothers, Dale (Olean) Sheets and Larry (Kathy) Sheets both of Columbia City; six grandchildren, Shawn (Jennifer) Sheets, Barry (Tavi) Sheets, Dawn (Brad) Carsten, Dustin Woods, Julie (Kris) Cossairt and Derick Fields; and eight great-grandchildren. Pete was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Morris and Carl Sheets; sister, Hilda Hurd; and infant twin sisters.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. from 2 to 8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 2015, at the funeral home with Pastor Ron Ramsey officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Jackson Township of Huntington County. Memorial gifts may be given in Mr. Sheets' memory to Union Cemetery.