Richard W. Sheldon, Sr. (Eaton Rapids)

Mr. Richard W. Sheldon, Sr. passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Sparrow Health System – Lansing in Lansing, Michigan. Age 73 years.

Richard was born February 8, 1947 in Torrington, Connecticut, the son of William and Alice Sheldon. He grew up in New Milford and graduated from New Milford High School, many years later he was proudly able to attend his 45th year class reunion. Richard was an active member of the Lutheran Church in New Milford while growing up. He later lived in Springfield, Massachusetts, St. Petersburg, Florida, Largo, Florida, and later moved to Eaton Rapids, Michigan until his passing. In Florida he was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, where he accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized on the beach in the Gulf of Mexico. Richard met his loving wife, Gail, through his daughter and Gail’s friend. They married in 1984 and were married 34 years. During his life, he worked for Purina, delivering, and later packing feed. Throughout his life, Richard owned a motel, a gas station, his own maintenance company; where he could build/fix anything, he did apartment and storage maintenance, lawn and landscaping.

Richard loved God, his family and his country. He had a great smile and sense of humor. He liked watching old TV shows, being on his computer, and sitting with his dog. He will be missed so much.

He leaves to cherish his memory loving wife of 36 years, Gail Sheldon of Eaton Rapids; a daughter, Tammy E. (John) Duncan; sons, Richard W. Sheldon, Jr., Barry C. (Rachel) Sheldon, Eric J Sheldon, Ethan D. Sheldon, and Benjamin A. (Brooke) Sheldon; grandchildren, Robert Peters, Carmen Peters, Travis Peters, Jory Green, Seth Sheldon (Seminole, Florida), Avery Sheldon, (Seminole, Florida), Nolan Reichert (Charlotte, Michigan), Nevaeh Sheldon (Eaton Rapids, Michigan), and Tamsyn Sheldon (Eaton Rapids, Michigan); sisters, Deborah (Herb) Miller and Regina; an aunt, Eunice Payne; mother and father-in-law, Marjorie “Peggy” and Joseph “Joe” Sicilian; nine sisters-in-law; 6 brothers-in-law; many other nieces, nephews and other family members and special friends, including, “JD” and Candy Delancy, Norma Tesoriero, Kathy Stahl, and Vera Eichenberg.

Richard is preceded in death by parents, William Sperry Sheldon and Alice Cribley Sheldon; brother, James (Mary) Sheldon, and sisters, Peggy Williams and Patty Sheldon.

The family would like to express special thanks to SCCM PACE and Paradise Funeral Chapel & Arrangement Services.