Richard E. Sheets of Valparaiso, formerly of Chesterton, died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003. He was 79.

Born Oct. 25, 1925 in Detroit, he was the son of the late Harold Sederberg and Mary Thomas Sheets. On Nov. 2, 1946 in Chesterton, he married Juanita (Krone), who survives in Valparaiso.

Also surviving are children Linda Griffith (Phillip) of Valparaiso, Robert Sheets (Patricia) of Hebron, Phyllis Goin (Richard) of Valparaiso, Richard H. Sheets (Josefine) of Portage, and Nancy Talley (Robert) of Hammond; 15 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and sister Donna Hamm of Valparaiso.

He was preceded in death by brother Henry Sheets, granddaughters Rebecah Griffith and Stephanie Jakubczak, and aunt Dorothy Fahey of Merrillville.

He was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Chesterton. He was active in Boy Scouts and was a member of American Legion Post of Porter. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy. He was retired from the Northern Indiana Public Service Co., with construction in the gas department.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m. from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2050 W. 1100N, Chesterton with Pastor Ron Larson officiating. Burial will be in Chesterton Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. at White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St., Chesterton and Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Building Fund, the VNA Hospice Center or VNA Program.

Posted 11/21/2003