Thomas Sheetz

SHEETZ, Thomas Sherman passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at Kettering Medical Center at the age of 90. Born February 17, 1927 in Dayton, Ohio to Clarence E. “Tom” and Mary Louise Sheetz. He was a graduate of Chaminade High School and The University of Dayton. Loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed! Preceded in death by his wife of 49 years Marilyn “Jean”, parents, infant son, Robert John, and brother-in-law Peter Boyle. Survived by loving children, Susan (Jeff) Graham, Thomas, Timothy (Donna), Colleen “Kelly” (Tim) Becker and Carole Jean (Chris) Meyers; grandchildren, Jon (Jenn), Jim (Courtney), Jeffrey and Sarah Graham, Robert (Sarah) and Karyn (Ken) Fischesser, Adam (Shannon), Andrew and Lindsay Becker, Nathan, Owen, Jacob, Vivian and Zachary Meyers; great-grandchildren, Jenna, Matthew and Alyssa Sheetz, Avery, Rooney and Finley Graham, Lucy Fischesser, sister, Carol (Raymond) Berus, sister-in-law, Joan Boyle and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a graduate of Chaminade High school class of 1945 where he founded the C.S.M.C. Catholic social club for those under 18. Following graduation, Tom served in the United States Navy from 1945-46 and was awarded the Victory Medal. Following the war, he served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1946-51. In 1950, the 100th anniversary year, Tom graduated from the University of Dayton with a B.A. in psychology and business administration. An avid snow skier, he traveled Europe and “the slopes out west” to feed his passion. He and Jean honeymooned in Aspen. He was a Co-Director of the Ski School at Sugarcreek Ski Hills in Bellbrook and was co-founder and first President of the Dayton “Ski Bees” now known as the Dayton Ski Club. His children have many fond memories of our trips up to Michigan for Spring Break skiing. He worked at WPAFB in Scientific and Engineering Employment and was Chief of Protocol, Aeronautical Systems Division. Tom had been very active in the community as well. He has served on or has been a member of: the Board of Governors, Engineers Club of Dayton; Charter Member, Aviation Hall of Fame; Aviation Trail Inc.; Co-chairman, Birthplace of Aviation Working Group; Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee; Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce; University of Dayton Alumni Association; University of Dayton Band Alumni Association; Federal Employee Association; National Association of Retired Federal Employees; Amway Distributors Association; Chaminade High School Alumni Association; Carroll High School Boosters Club; St. Luke’s Booster Club; and was the first civilian member in the Dayton Letter Carriers Band. Tom was also an Honorary Trustee of Wright “B” Flyer Inc. He was the originator of the idea and co-organizer of the grass roots, all-volunteer community team to build, fly and maintain the look-alike Wright “B” Flyer as a showpiece for Dayton, Ohio, “The Birthplace of Aviation.” In 1992, Tom and Charles A. Dempsey founded the “new” Barn Gang at the Engineers Club of Dayton, and in July 1991 he was honored with a place on The Engineers Club “The Valley of the Giants”. His faith was extremely important as he was raised by loving parents who laid down a solid foundation and which he passed along to his children. He was always thankful for having had a Catholic Education starting at St. Anthony’s Parish in Dayton and continuing through to Chaminade and UD. He was a true witness for us all to his strong belief in God, serving others, and the power of prayer. Tom never met a stranger and treated everyone with great kindness. We will all miss the personalized cards he sent for birthdays and anniversaries. Tom was a member of the St. Luke’s Leisure Club, the Right to Life group and NAIM. Tom was a former member of Ascension Parish in Kettering and a member of St. Luke’s in Beavercreek as well as Holy Trinity in Dayton. Prayers will be at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 13, 2017 at the Tobias Funeral Home – Beavercreek Chapel, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Rd. at Grange Hall Rd. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St Luke Catholic Church, 1440 N. Fairfield Rd. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. His family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Luke’s parish, Holy Trinity parish or Elizabeth’s New Life Center. Special thanks go out to Tom’s primary physician, Dr. Stephen Swedlund, the community of One Lincoln Park and all those who cared for him at Kettering Medical Center.