Sheldon R. Enterline

Most men “lead lives of quiet desperation,” Walden claimed. In other words, we fail to recognize what’s really important: and it’s not money, accolades, or possessions.

Sheldon Enterline never made that mistake. He knew what mattered in life, and he spent every minute valuing the things and people that were truly important. He was deeply devoted to his family and friends, taking every opportunity to show them kindness or make them laugh.

Sheldon loved the outdoors, and, “Hawaiian to the core,” lived life the way he wanted to live it because he saw life as a precious gift to be enjoyed at all moments. On any given day, you could find him cheering for a niece’s or nephew’s sports endeavors (or bailing them out of trouble), soaking in the sun with a fishing pole in his hand, or enjoying time with his wife.

Sheldon owned a window cleaning business for many years, becoming the first in Fort Wayne to clean high-rise buildings from a Bosun's chair—which earned him the nickname “Flyin Hawaiian.” He and his brothers were also in business together, owning Enterline Contracting and Sportsline bar.

Despite having often painful and difficult health challenges, he always managed to spread positivity and enthusiasm to everyone he interacted with.

Sheldon died Thursday night at Lutheran Hospital, surrounded by those he loved, after a six-week battle against complications following heart surgery.

His spark of joy and optimism remain alive in the hearts of those he loved and cherished.

Sheldon is survived by his beloved wife, Diane (Simpson), who he married on March 12, 2004, on a white, sandy beach near Koneohe, Hawaii. Sheldon’s mother, Lorraine (Hookano) Enterline, survives, but he lost his father, Robert Carl Enterline, Sr., in 2011.

Surviving brothers are Bryan K. (Cameron Inouye) Enterline of Fort Wayne, Ind., Robert C. (Kathy) Enterline, Jr. of Monroeville, Inc., K. Kalei (Kendra) Enterline of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Diane’s father, John Simpson of Charlotte, Mich., who recently lost his wife, Phyllis, sister Marilyn (Stanley) Marshall of Tulsa, Okla., and brother Wayne (Sandra) Simpson of Charlotte, Mich also survive.

Sheldon’s nieces and nephews: Brandon (Morgan) Enterline, Leah Enterline, Jessica (Eric) Lash, Lakai (Kourtney) Enterline, Jennifer (Nic) Ross, Lindsay (Matt) Roth, Sarah Enterline, Ben Enterline, Easton Enterline, Daulton Freeman, Hunter Freeman, Angel (Simpson) Andrews, Jason Ross, Josh Ross, Jeff Ross, Kathleen Marshall, Samantha Marshall, Josh (Lindsay) Simpson. Godchildren; Conrad & Riley Erck; 15 great-nieces and nephews and one great-grand niece. He was preceded in death by nephew Clifford Marshall.

Service is noon Friday, Nov. 16, 2018 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel, Monroeville. Friends and family will be received following the funeral service for Sheldon, until 4 p.m. and then also from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, Sheldon’s family would appreciate memorial donations be made to the Kidney Transplant Patient Assistance Fund thru The Lutheran Foundation.