BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA
Father Joseph B. Sheets was born November 25, 1931, in Columbus, Indiana to Edward F. Sheets Sr. and Kathryn A. Burns Sheets. He attended Central Elementary and Junior High public schools, in Martinsville, Indiana. In 1945, he entered the seminary of Saint Meinrad, Indiana where he continued his education in high school, college and theology courses. On May 3, 1957, he was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Meinrad by Archbishop Paul C. Schulte. His pastoral assignments were as an assistant: 1957, St. Ambrose, Seymour and Our Lady of Providence, Brownstown; 1961, St. Patrick, Terre Haute; 1968, St. Peter &Paul Cathedral, Indianapolis; and as pastor, 1969, St. Mary, Lanesville, Indiana; 1983, St. Ambrose, Seymour, Indiana and Our Lady of Providence, Brownstown, Indiana. He retired as pastor in 2001 yet continued to assist in various parishes within the Archdiocese.
Father Joseph B. Sheets passed from this life at 4:04 a.m. Sunday, November 5, 2023, at the Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis.
Father Sheets is survived by his sister, Sarah E. Sichting of Martinsville, Indiana and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Father Sheets was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Edward F. Sheets Jr., Barbara K. Sheets and John R. Sheets; and an infant sister, Carol Louise Sheets.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Columbus; Archbishop Charles Thompson will be the celebrant. A time of visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. Father Sheets will be laid to rest at the Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, at stjude.org or envelopes will also be available at the church.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with Father Sheets’ family and a video tribute may be seen at barkesweaverglick.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.