Amos Jesse Sheets, 92, formerly of Nappanee, died at 12:05 a.m. Thursday, May 7, 2015, at Greencroft Nursing Center, Goshen, where he had resided for five years.
He was born March 18, 1923, in Locke Township to Curtis and Chloe (Pippenger) Sheets.
Amos lived his lifetime in this area and was a 1941 graduate of Nappanee High School and was the salutatorian of his class.
On Feb. 14, 1945, he married Virginia Jackson in Gravelton. She preceded him in death Sept. 10, 2014.
Amos was a farmer and worked in woodworking. He retired from Interior Woodworking Corp. in New Paris. Amos had served on the Elkhart County Soil Conservation Board and Elkhart County Drainage Board. He was also an Elkhart County Commissioner. He was a member of Union Center Church of the Brethren where he served as a deacon. He had also attended Turkey Creek Church of the Brethren.
Amos was also active in preserving the history of the One Room Schools in our area. In 2001 he received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Gov. Frank O’Bannon.
Surviving are his children, daughter, Jeanne (Howard) Cross, Nappanee; sons, Sam (Brenna) Sheets, Jack Sheets, both of Nappanee, Dan (Pam) Sheets, Fayetteville, N.C.; grandchildren, Robert Cross, Samantha Wilson-Raza, Sonya Wolfe, Andy Sheets, Joe Sheets, Katelyn Sheets, Maggie Sheets; 12 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Norma Mikel, Edwardsburg, Mich., and Ruth Anglemyer, Nappanee.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Jesse Sheets; a sister, Dorothy Klotz; and brothers, Russell and Carl Sheets.
Family and friends may call from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, May 11, 2015, at Union Center Church of the Brethren and for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service on Tuesday, May 12, at the Church. Rev. Frank Ramirez will officiate and burial will be in Union Center Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Union Center Church of the Brethren or Greencroft.
Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.