Luther R. Sheets
Formerly of Fallowfield Township
Luther R. Sheets, 82, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2014, in his Port St. Lucie, Fla., home.
He was born in Luzerne Township, a son of Alfred and Rena Sheets.
Mr. Sheets grew up in Beallsville, with his six brothers, Jackson, Robert, William, Wilber, all deceased, Benjamin of San Marcos, Calif., and Bruce of Beallsville; and two sisters, Jessie Hughes, deceased, and Dawn Pickens of Washington.
He was married to Donna Sphar for 35 years, living in Fallowfield Township, until her passing in 1986. They had three children, Luther D. Sheets of Speers, Cindy Mayernik of Sharpsville and Brenda Davis of Pataskala, Ohio.
In addition to his three children, surviving are his wife, Barbara Schmidt, whom he married in 1990; three stepchildren, Cathleen Schmidt of Abington, Md., Diane Schmidt of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Tom and wife Teresa Schmidt of Chesapeake, Va.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Sheets was employed by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania for 42 years, until his retirement.
He was a member and past master of Masonic Lodge 615 in Charleroi.
Mr. Sheets was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army with the rank of sergeant, after being stationed in occupied Japan and serving during the Korean War. His armor unit was among the first U.S. troops to enter the conflict, and he was awarded several military citations, including the Combat Infantryman Badge.
He had a passion for golf, reading and was a talented stained-glass craftsman.
A private memorial service and burial in Maple Creek Cemetery, Fallowfield Township, is planned. A celebration of his life with friends and family will be held in his hometown in the spring.
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of one’s choice.