Kenneth E. Sheets

Kenneth Ervin Sheets, of Avon, passed away December 19, 2019 at home. He was born July 6, 1925 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Russell and Helen Sheets. He graduated from Warren Central High School in 1944. Ken was a proud WWII Navy Corpsman and prior to his leaving for preparation for the invasion of Japan, he married Audra Dawn Steele, who he had met in the eighth grade. Together they raised four daughters. They were married for over 74 years and he was a loving, devoted caregiver to Dawn the past 12 years.

Ken attended college full time and graduated from the University of Indianapolis (formerly Indiana Central College) with honors in 1965 while working full time with a family. Later, her graduated from Ball State University with his Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling. During his time pursuing both his undergraduate and graduate degrees, Ken worked his way up the Wayne Township School District from janitor to Director of Guidance and Counseling at South Wayne Junior High School; the last position he served before retiring.

Ken cared deeply for others and volunteered to help the less fortunate and address social justice issues. One of his passions was the Fairfield Friends Meeting, a Quaker community dedicated to caring for others. He loved woodworking and refinishing, being the original Mr. Fix-It; he loved to garden and travel with Dawn, with the British Isles being their favorite destination. Ken was an avid reader and loved History. One of the highlights of Ken’s life was the Honor Flight, where he was recognized for his service in WWII, as well as visiting the war memorials in Washington D.C.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Russell and Helen; brother, Richard Sheets; and daughter, Deborah Sheets.

As well as Dawn, Ken is survived by daughters, Cathy Hiatt (Dick) of Bloomington, IN; Dianne Boyd (Linn) of Fishers, IN; and Lori Arment (Don) of Summerfield, FL; six grandsons, Chris (Anne) Hiatt of Brooklyn, NY; Jeff (Dawn) Hiatt of Wenonah, NJ; Matt (Amanda) Feldman of Denver, CO; Mike (Lauren) Feldman of Indianapolis, IN; Nick Feldman of Denver, CO; and Ian Boyd of NYC, NY; and six great-grandchildren, Emma, Magnolia, Annie, Gunnar, Dean, Davis, and another great-granddaughter due in April; and Diana (Daka) Protic-Tkalcic, of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and exchange student from Bosnia, who Ken and Dawn treated as their daughter.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 24, at Fairfield Friends Meeting in Camby, IN from 5-7pm. Calling will continue at Fairfield Friends on Saturday, January 25 from 10am to noon with Memorial Service at noon.

A special thank you to Doctors Richard Kovacs, William Gill, Sridhar Bolla, Stephen Pollom and Martin Farlow; the staff at IU West Hospital, Caring Call Connection, Care Hospice, Fairfield Friends; the staff and residents of Village of Avon Assisted Living and their wonderful neighbors on Woodstream Drive.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Fairfield Friends Meeting or the Honor Flight.