Robert William Sheeler

Robert William “Bob” Sheeler passed to his Eternal Rest on November 5, 2023, at Newton Village in Newton at the age of 93.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 8th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Monroe United Methodist Church. A public Masonic service will be held at 6:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held on November 9th at 10:00 a.m. at the church with a luncheon to follow. Private family internment will be held at 10:00 a.m. on November 11 at Silent City Cemetery in Monroe. Military rites will be conducted by Fred Slayden Post #363 American Legion and the Iowa Army National Guard Honor Escort.

Bob was born on July 19, 1930, at the family home east of Monroe to Howard W. and Engelena “Lily” (Van Baale) Sheeler. He was the third of seven children. He and his siblings attended Enterprise School, which was very convenient as it was directly across the road from the Sheeler home. He graduated from Monroe Community High School in 1948. He was active in Future Farmers of America and served as the first drum major for the High School band.

On April 6, 1950, he began employment with the Jasper County Secondary Roads Department and worked there for the next 45 years, retiring on July 21, 1995. In 1952 he was drafted into the United States Army and received his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. He served in the 43rd Quartermaster Company based in Augsburg, Germany. He was honorably discharged on December 22, 1953, as a Sergeant First Class. In 2011, he was honored to be a participant in the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Bob also served for many years as a reserve officer on the Monroe Police Department.

On October 6, 1950, he married Beverly E. Woody at Tools Chapel Methodist Church. He and Beverly had two children, Markay and Wade. He was a member of the Methodist denomination for over 70 years.

Bob served as Worshipful Master of Fairview Lodge #194 in 1969. He later affiliated with Newton Lodge #59 and was a member of the Masonic fraternity for 58 years. He was a member of the Newton York Rite Bodies, Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine. Bob was also a member of Fred Slayden Post #363 American Legion.

Bob is survived by his wife of 38 years Nona Kain, his son Wade (Danene) Sheeler, Nona’s children Sam (Jeanine) Kain, Kathy Renaud, Kristy (Frank) Clark, Kandy (Scott) Rhodes, and Kim (Erik) Thomas. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, five sisters Mary Kingdon, Kathleen Jackson, Martha Brayton, JoAnn Sheeler, and Gladys DeJoode and one brother Ivan. He was also predeceased by his wife Beverly and infant daughter Markay.

During retirement, he and Nona enjoyed wintering in Alamo Texas and other travels. He enjoyed woodworking, yard work, and his grandchildren. After his retirement he drove for Hy-Vee and Monroe Feed Center.

Memorial donations may be made to the Monroe Fire Department or the Monroe United Methodist Church.

Bob’s motto in life was “It will all work out!”