Obituary of Doyle Sheets

David “Doyle” Sheets 1932-2023

     David “Doyle” Sheets went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on January 14, 2023, at 90 years young. He was a loving husband, dedicated father, beloved friend, and cherished grandpa & great grandpa; Doyle passed away peacefully with family by his side.

     He was born on July 22, 1932, and Doyle was the fourth of five children born to Merle and Opal Sheets. While he was born in Lenora, Kansas, the family later relocated to Brewster, Nebraska, where he grew up and graduated. It was at Brewster High School where he met and later married his high school sweetheart Betty Ann Zeigler. Doyle is survived by his two brothers, Duane (Lois) Sheets and Don (Sharon) Sheets, and also their four children, Galeen (Rick) Calicott, Noreen (Ross) Tietje, LaDonna (Bruce) Cutshall and Darrell (Shannon) Sheets; 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter to arrive any day; and numerous nieces and nephews. Doyle lost his soul mate and wife Betty, of 64 years, just 5 years ago to Leukemia, and two older sisters Velda and Arlene, along with both their parents. After graduating from Brewster High School, he went into the service and was deployed to Germany. He was proud to serve his country and later in life was frequently sporting a ballcap with some military insignia or battle represented. Upon returning to the states, Doyle attended college in Kearney, Nebraska, as he and Betty prepared their young family to move out west. The Sheets family relocated to Oregon as Doyle started his teaching career, he taught shop and woodworking classes at various schools and locations, and often could be found around sports as a referee and umpire. Doyle was a loyal servant in teaching bible classes, being a Deacon in their church, and along with his wife, organizing church camps for youth during the summer. While Betty was a homemaker, and Doyle didn’t teach during the summer, it was not unusual for him to take on a second job, which usually meant he was “selling” something, from vacuums to sewing machines, to life insurance policies or services for Sprint, he also spent time assisting with financial management. Doyle and Betty were faithful members of Norkenzie Church of Christ (formerly, 10th & Washington) and later Garden Way Church, both of Eugene. Later in retirement, Doyle spent many years driving empty bus chassis from Quebec, Canada, back to Eugene, Oregon, for Marathon Coach, a job he thoroughly enjoyed; which wasn’t a surprise since at one time they owned a semi-truck and he hauled hay during the summer. Afterward, they relocated from the Willamette Valley over the mountain to Crescent, Oregon, where they chilled during the winters in likeness weather to their Nebraska growing up, they both enjoyed snow. The summers were warm, and brought lots of family and friends to travel through, visit, or stay over; their house was always open with a welcoming like you never left. They touched many lives over the years with their example of hospitality and love. Doyle and Betty attended First Baptist Church of Crescent, where they were very active with bible classes, VBS, cleaning, or wherever they were needed. They also enjoyed the slower pace in life of the small community, where everybody helped out one another. They were regularly hosting or organizing gatherings, potlucks, dessert and cards, anything to bring people together. Regardless of which side of the mountain they were on, together, Doyle and Betty enjoyed garage sales, bargain hunting, and cheering on the Oregon Ducks in numerous sports. He also enjoyed camping, traveling, and tinkering in his garage or around the property. Shortly after Doyle lost his wife, he relocated back over the mountain to be near family. He has lived in a couple of facilities while being back in Eugene, Oregon, and appreciated the kindness of others, whether it be a phone call to touch base, with a card in the mail, or a visit; but like many, the pandemic was hard on him and took its toll. For a bubbly, people person, to be asked to live like a recluse, it’s a hard thing to do to someone in their late 80’s! While he was often “unknowingly” breaking the rules, after 87 years to tell someone they can no longer “visit with your neighbors” was a difficult concept. Then to “wear a mask” brought its own challenges! If you knew Doyle, you knew he loved to joke around and was somewhat of a prankster, often sharing his antics with those around him. So, to get him to “wear a mask” was easy for him to think we were all playing a joke on him… (And seriously, we all wish we were!) His love for the Lord and laughter never faded and continued until his passing.

     Doyle and Betty’s children, along with their families, would like to honor Doyle with a "Celebration of Life" on Saturday, February 25th at 1:00 pm at Eugene Church of Christ located at 2424 Norkenzie Road, Eugene, OR 97408. One of Doyle’s favorite parts of gatherings outside of the attendees, was the desserts and treats; therefore, we would invite you “to come have a treat with us!” Refreshments will be provided after the service. Interment will take place privately at Lane Memorial Gardens in Eugene, Oregon