Sheffield, Gordon (1916-2012)

SHEFFIELD, HODGES, BUSH, LANGNER, SCHULTZ, GATHJE, CUNNINGHAM

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 7/22/2012 at 23:03:24

Gordon Sheffield
October 29, 1916 - July 4, 2012

Gordon Hodges Sheffield, 95, of Grand Island, Nebraska, died Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at the Grand Island Veterans Home.

Mr. Sheffield was born on October 29, 1916, in Storm Lake to Ralph E. and Edna Hodges Sheffield.

Mr. Sheffield grew up in Storm Lake and graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1934. He attended Buena Vista College and graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 1939, a member of Rho Chi Honor Society. Following graduation, he worked at Triplett's Drug Store in Storm Lake and then at the Toller Drug Store in Sioux City. In September, 1940, Mr. Sheffield began a pharmaceutical sales career with Eli Lilly Company, living first in Creston.

On August 4, 1940, he married Dorothy Mae Schultz at the First Methodist Church in Storm Lake.

In January, 1943, Mr. Sheffield began training with the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, with the First Convalescent Hospital which was activated and accepted patients for a year beginning in November, 1944, on the east coast of Leyte, the Philippines. He received a direct commission as a 2nd Lt. in May, 1945. In February, 1946, he was honorably discharged. Following the war, Mr. Sheffield resumed his employment with Eli Lilly, working in Ottumwa and retiring in Omaha in 1978. He was a sixty-seven year member of the American Legion Post #1 (Omaha).

Mr. Sheffield and his wife resided in Omaha from 1950-1979 and in Sun City, Arizona, from 1979 until his wife, Dorothy, passed away on August 29, 1999. Mr. Sheffield moved to Grand Island in 2000 to be closer to his family, living first at Riverside Lodge before moving to the Nebraska Veterans Home in April, 2007.

Very active in the Trinity Methodist Church and later at the Presbyterian Church of the Master while living in Omaha, Mr. Sheffield also served as an Elder at Faith Presbyterian Church in Sun City, Arizona. In Grand Island, he joined the First Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Sheffield enjoyed his family, reading, music, and all sports, particularly basketball and golf. Prior to January, 2007, he corresponded profusely with many friends and relatives. A kind and generous father and grandfather, he will be greatly missed by his family and remembered well by many acquaintances.

Thankful for his education and believing in its importance, Mr. Sheffield and his wife established memorial scholarships at Buena Vista University, the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, Simpson College, the University of Dubuque, and Cottey College.

Those left to cherish his memory include one daughter and son-in-law, Dori and David Bush, of Grand Island; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Bruce and Margaret Sheffield, of Raymond, and Robert and Cindy Sheffield, of Omaha; a sister, Helen Langner, of Storm Lake; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Sheffield, of Midland, Michigan.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Matthew Bush (Leticia Robles), of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Tyler Bush and Scott Sheffield, both of Lincoln, Nebraska, Rebecca (Randi) Gathje, of Kearney, Nebraska, and Heather, Chad, and Adam Sheffield, of Omaha; his great-granddaughter, Elle Sheffield; and his great-grandson, Ryan Gathje; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was welcomed into Heaven by his wife, Dorothy; his parents; his sister, Ruth Cunningham; his brother, Paul Sheffield; and a nephew, Morris Langner.

Mr. Sheffield's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff of the Veterans Home and to that of the AseraCare Hospice for their gentle care of our father and grandfather.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 13, 2012, at the Grand Island Veterans Home All Faiths Chapel, Reverend Lonnie Logan and Chaplain William Noer officiating. Cremation has taken place. Burial of ashes and graveside services will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha with Reverend Keith Cook officiating and military honors provided.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 12, 2012, at All Faiths Funeral Home.

There will also be a gathering held at the Presbyterian Church of the Master in Omaha (10710 Corby Circle) from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 Noon following the inurnment on Saturday, July 14, 2012.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Dorothy M. Sheffield Scholarship at Cottey College, 1000 W. Austin, Nevada, Mo. 64772, AseraCare Hospice and the Grand Island Veterans Home.

© Copyright 2012, Storm Lake Pilot Tribune

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