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His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln,
with Allen Payne officiating. Visitation will be
5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday and 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the
funeral home. Burial will be in McLean Cemetery,
McLean, with military rites by Lincoln Legion Post
263.
Mr. Sheldon was a tool grinder at Caterpillar
Tractor Co. for 43 years. Later he was a school bus
driver.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954
during the Korean War.
He was born Dec. 29, 1930, in Lincoln to Ralph
and Elsie Larson Sheldon. He married Patricia "Pat"
A. Girdler on Feb. 5, 1965, in Lincoln
He is survived by his wife, of Lincoln; three
daughters, Vickie S. Lusher of Olympia, Wash., Debra
(and Robert) D. Hoefs of Lincoln and Jacqueline C.
(and Jeff) Lessen of Lincoln; one son, Anthony A.
Sheldon of Chicago; one sister, Evelyn Cosatino of
Lake Villa; one brother, Jack (and Martine) Sheldon
of Springfield; seven grandchildren, Adam Lusher,
Ashleigh Hoefs, Jonathan Lessen, Nathan (and
Alexandra) Hoefs, Joseph Lessen, Samuel Hoefs and
Kathryn Hoefs; and two great-grandchildren.
One brother, Garland Sheldon, and one grandson,
Russell Alexander Ranger, preceded him in death.
He graduated from Lincoln Community High School
in 1948.
He began working for Caterpillar in East Peoria
in 1950 and returned after his four years in the
Navy. He was well-respected and well-liked by his
co-workers and supervisors. During this time he
frequently worked a second job, allowing his
soulmate, Pat, to be home with the children. |
Upon retirement, Bill returned to the work force,
driving a school bus for Ryder (currently First
Student). He drove faithfully for 10 years and had a
perfect driving record. He was awarded "Bus Driver
of the Year" and was well-liked by the many children
he served.
While he took tremendous pride in his work, he
took greater pride in his family. His legacy of
honesty, work ethic, responsibility, laughter,
appreciation of food, quiet humbleness, love of
children and nature, and most importantly, love and
appreciation of family will be passed on to many
generations to come. He will be missed by all he
touched.
Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross
or the American Heart Association.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the
Sheldon family. |
