Tom Sheets, 56, of New Sharon, passed away Sunday morning, Jan. 24, 2021, at his home in New Sharon. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Community Hope Church in Montezuma. Memorial contributions may be made to Montezuma Shooting Sports, Montezuma Fire Department, or Pella Hospice.
Thomas Bernard Sheets, the son of Jerome and Margaleen (Horras) Sheets, was born Nov. 30, 1964, in Washington, IA. He graduated from Montezuma High School in 1983. Following high school, Tom attended Northeast Missouri State receiving his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1985. He was married to Billie Jo Schultz Aug. 30, 1986. To this union, two daughters were born, Kelsie and Kiegan. Tom started at the Milford Police Department for a few years before joining the Spencer Police Department. He was with that department until July 1990 before joining Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Department. In November 2000, Tom was elected Poweshiek County Sheriff. July 18, 2009, Tom was united in marriage to Mary Jo Steele in Lynnville. Tom retired from the sheriff’s department in 2012 after serving 26 years in law enforcement. He then worked at the Grinnell hospital as the safety supervisor before working for Terpstra Plumbing and Heating.
Tom took care of Big Springs Shooting Range for a few years and was one of the founders of the shooting sports held at Big Springs. He also owned and operated the Montezuma Dairy King for a few years. Tom was a proud member of the Montezuma Fire Department and also the Deep River Fire Department while living in Deep River. He was also a trained EMT. Tom enjoyed golfing, trout fishing, hunting, and camping, was an excellent wood-worker, and above all spending time with his family, especially his young grandchildren. He never knew a stranger and was known for his generosity and compassion for helping others.
Tom’s legacy will be honored by his wife, Mary Jo Sheets of New Sharon; his children, Kelsie (Ryan) Parton of Oskaloosa, Kiegan (Colin) Watts of Montezuma, Brynna (Jake) Vande Noord of Lynnville, and Carly Steele of Tiffin; his two grandchildren, Maverick Watts and Lauren Vande Noord; his parents, Jerome (Sarah) Sheets of Montezuma; his twin brother, Tim Sheets of Iowa City; his sister, Becky (John) Dagle of Iowa City; his mother-in-law, Dorothea Wanders; and many other relatives and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his mother Margaleen Sheets and father-in-law Dwight Wanders.
