Barbara Kathryn Sheets

Barbara Kathryn Sheets
Barbara Kathryn Sheets

MARTINSVILLE

Sheets family matriarch, Barbara Kathryn Sheets, 86, of Martinsville passed from her earthly life on Saturday, November 14th, 2020 at 4:24 am after months of failing health. Barbara was one of six children born to the late Edward Francis Sheets Sr and Kathryn Amanda (Burns) Sheets. She was born on Tuesday, January 23, 1934 in Bloomington, Indiana.

Barbara spent nearly all her life in Martinsville and graduated from Martinsville High School with the class of 1952. Immediately following graduation, Barbara gained employment with the federal government, working for the General Services Administration as a supervisor in the Office of Personnel Management, retiring after 36 years.

She was a devoted and lifetime member of the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Martinsville, having served as a lector and Eucharistic minister. She was also actively involved in the St. Martin’s Prayer Group, Golden Circle and Altar Society and a longtime member of the Kappa Kappa Sigma Sorority.

Barbara embodied all things good, as shown by her dedication to her church, family, friends, career, and others! She welcomed everyone with a smile and a positive attitude, regardless of her circumstances, and was eager to meet and make new friends. Barbara was, without a doubt, the ‘glue’ of the Sheets family! She was the family historian, the planner of family reunions, and the family genealogist. Aside from family, Barbara loved to travel and watch the Big Ten Network. She was also an avid Indiana University and Indianapolis Colts fan.

Her loving, resilient, positive attitude will be missed and admirably remembered by many including her sister and best friend, Sarah Elizabeth Sichting of Martinsville; brother, Rev. Joseph B. Sheets of Seymour; five nephews, Joe (wife, Cindy) Sheets of Carmel, IN, Tom Sheets, Kirk Sichting and John Christopher (wife, Melanie) Sheets all of Martinsville, and Brad Sichting of French Lick, IN; two nieces, Lisa (husband, Rob) Helms and Julie (husband, Kevin) Reeves of Martinsville, as well as, several great and great great nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, John Robert Sheets and Edward Francis Sheets Jr; an infant sister, Carol Louise Sheets, who died at birth and one nephew, Jeff Sheets.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, November 18th beginning at 11:00 am at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 1709 E. Harrison Street in Martinsville with one hour of visitation immediately prior to mass at the church. Graveside rites and burial will be at 3:00 pm on Wednesday in Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus, Indiana. NOTICE: All attendees will be required to wear a facial covering and maintain social distancing throughout the duration of the service and graveside service.

The family has requested that contributions be made in lieu of flowers to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org in Barbara’s memory.

Condolences and memories are encouraged to be shared with the Sheets family online at www.nealandsummers.com