Mary Downing Sheets, 95, of Brooklyn, IA, died February 28 of 2006 in Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell, Iowa of pneumonia. She was born October 7, 1910 in Sullivan County, Missouri. Her parents were David and Laura Croft Downing. Mary was the eighth of twelve children and the last of her family to die, surviving her youngest sister by two years. In her youth, Mary worked as a household employee.
She married Wayne Sheets on February 6, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan. Mary and Wayne farmed in the Brooklyn, Iowa area until Wayne's death in 1980. Mary attended the Malcom Methodist Church for many years. Mary was an active member of her rural community participating in neighborhood club groups and gardening. She was well known for her beautiful flowers and giant vegetables. She lived at Brookhaven Nursing Home for many years where they gave her loving care.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one grandson and all of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her four sons and their families: Ivan and Sandy Sheets of Grinnell, Iowa, Melvin Sheets of Mashpee, Massachusetts, Dwight and Ann Sheets of Toddville, Iowa and Charles and Beth Sheets of Montezuma, Iowa. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mary Sheets were held at 10 AM Saturday, March 4, 2006, in the Malcom United Methodist Church, Malcom. Rev. Carol Myers, Pastor, officiated. The organist was Marilyn Kriegel and the soloist Rhonda Minner. Special selections were "How Great Thou Art" and " Holy, Holy, Holy!" Casket-bearers were David Sheets, Jacob Sheets, Lloyd Sheets, Jonathan Sheets, Brian Curtis and Dean Austin. Interment was in Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery, Brooklyn.
Nevenhoven Funeral Home, Brooklyn, was in charge of arrangements.
Source: Nevenhoven Funeral Services, Inc. records