Thelma Louise Sheets

Thelma Louise Sheets, 96, of McPherson, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at The Cedars Health Care Center, McPherson. She was retired after 22 years as secretary at McPherson College.

She was born on September 26, 1917, in Minot, North Dakota, the daughter of Blaine C. and DiaDama Lavina (Smith) Witham. She attended Minot (ND) Business College and McPherson College.

On December 25, 1937, Thelma was united in marriage to John K. Sheets in Surrey, ND. He preceded her in death on March 6, 1999.

Thelma was a member of the McPherson Church of the Brethren, Women’s Fellowship, Garden Club, Cosmos Club, Church Women United, and Cedars Guild, and also served on the local election board.

Survivors include: three sons, Norman L. Sheets of Sterling, KS, Delbert N. Sheets (Julie) of Raymond, MN, and James L. Sheets of Burnet, TX; brother, Burton Witham of British Columbia, Canada; nine grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a stillborn son, son, Jerrold Keith, brothers, Lyle Witham, Robert Witham, Gerald Witham, Wayne Witham, Emery Witham, and Claude Witham, and sisters, Ruth Luchsinger, Esther Emswiler, Agnes Hemenway, and Evelyn Irwin.

The memorial service will be at 3:00 PM, Friday, March 21, 2014, at The Cedars Wellness Center, McPherson with Rev. Chris Whitacre officiating. Inurnment will take place in the Surrey Cemetery, Surrey, ND at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the McPherson Church of the Brethren, American Cancer Society, or the American Diabetes Association in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Thelma Louise Sheets please visit our Sympathy Store.