John "Jack" David Sheldon

John David “Jack” Sheldon, 88, of Pittsburg passed away at 7:40 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at his home in hospice care.

He was born on July 8, 1934 to Edwin John and Ruth (Sweeney) Sheldon in Waukegan, Illinois. Jack grew up in Grayslake, Illinois where he was a boy scout. He played Saxophone in a boy’s jazz combo that performed around town. He played football and basketball and in 1952 he graduated from Grayslake High School. He enrolled at Bradley University for one semester and then transferred to Northern Illinois University. In December 1956, he was drafted into the United States Army on the 8 year plan. He served two years active and 6 inactive service.

After the army, he went to Iowa State University for one semester and then enrolled at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. It was there that he met and married the loved of his life.

Jack graduated from Southern Illinois University in June 1962. He then went to work for Skil Corporation in Chicago, Illinois. The family had three sons and lived in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Jack was involved with his boys in Boy Scouting and Little League Baseball.

When the youngest boy was three, the family began camping. Eventually that included 49 states and 5 Canadian provinces. It included children and later grandchildren. It continued for more than 50 years.

After 6 weeks in Alaska, the Sheldon’s moved to Pittsburg in 2004. They continued to travel as long as they could. Jack was involved in his church, Faith Lutheran) and loved his pastor and church family.

Jack was diagnosed with terminal cancer and entered hospice care in November 2021. He was in the care of Avalon Hospice for more than 19 months.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Sheldon; one son, David Scott Sheldon and his wife, Melissa; two grandchildren, Samuel David Sheldon and Ruth Ann Schneider; two great-grandsons, Dominic Steffen and Hunter Coplan. Jack is also survived by his sister, Connie Dunbar and four nephews and 2 nieces; and a daughter-in-law, Paula Schneider.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and sons, Barry Mark in 2009 and Jeffrey John in 2013.

As he wished, Jack is being cremated. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 27, 2022 at the Faith Lutheran Church with Pastor Aaron Schumann officiating.  In lieu of flowers, if one so desires, a donation may be made to Faith Lutheran Church’s Building Fund or to Women of Faith (Apache Mission). These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS  66762. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.

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