James Henry Sheets

James Henry Sheets, 78, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023, at Cedarhurst of Fort Wayne.

He was born on December 3, 1944, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Edwin and Margaretha (Hertwig) Sheets.

James was united in marriage to Ingrid Helmchen on October 7, 1972, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. She preceded him in death on December 7, 2020.

He served in the United States Marines Corps during the Vietnam era where he was stationed in Vietnam. He was a Corporal E-4 and was honorably discharged on March 7th, 1972.

James was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. He was a former member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Soest where he was a part of the Carpenter’s Helper committee.

He retired from Dana Heavy Axle and Brake Corporation in 2004. Prior to Dana he worked at International Harvester in the Engine Group.

James loved tinkering around in the workshop; he was the “Jack of all trades”. He designed and built the house that he raised his family in. James enjoyed working in the yard.

He is survived by daughter, Karin (Jamie) Lowery of Waukegan, Illinois; son, Michael (Katrina) Sheets of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brother, John (Tammy) Sheets of Fort Wayne, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Michaela Sheets, Maygan Sheets, Monika Sheets, Rhianna Lowery, Kyle Sheets, Kaleb Sheets, and Karsten Sheets.

James was preceded in death by two brothers, Theodore and Frederick Sheets and a sister, Sharon Gerber.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 3, 2023, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, with Pastor Doug Croucher officiating. Burial will follow at Concordia Cemetery Gardens in Fort Wayne. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #43.

Friends and family will be received from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Zwick & Jahn Funeral in Decatur and from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Concordia Theological Foundation Inc.

Arrangements are by the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Indiana.