Obituary of Burton Sheeley

Burton Floyd Sheeley, Sr. August 3, 1924 May 8, 2008 Burton Floyd Sheeley, Sr., 83, of Niles, passed away at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana on Wednesday, May 8, 2008. Burt was born on August 3, 1924 to the late Benjamin and Dora (Yaw) Sheeley in Niles, Michigan. He grew up as one of 9 children in the Sheeley household. After graduating from high school Burt was called to duty for the United States Army. He proudly served his country until his tour was complete in 1946. On August 21, 1948 Burt wed Dolores Bennitt at a ceremony in Galien. Together they had 5 children and a 31 year marriage. After Burt's military service he served his upholstery apprenticeship under the GI Bill. He then went to work for the Sanitary Mattress Company, doing upholstery work, in South Bend, Indiana. Burt couldn't stand not being busy so he opened his own business which he properly named Burt's Upholstery. The business closed in 1979 and Burt later went to work for Tepe Furniture until he retired in 2006. Burt couldn't retire at a normal age though; he worked full time plus some until he was 82 years old. When he wasn't working though he could always be found outside in his flower garden or traveling to see the fall colors. He is preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Dora, son Bernard Sheeley, brothers Kenneth, Donald and Warren Sheeley, sister Inez Geelan, sister-in-law Vivian Sheeley and brother-in-law Walter "Wally" Truhn. Burton is survived by sons Burton Sheeley, Jr. of Niles and Bruce (Cheryl) Sheeley of Bell Fourche, South Dakota, daughters Bonnie (David) Dodd of Three Oaks, Michigan and Sharon Fernwalt of Niles, 16 Grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, brothers Harrison Sheeley of Three Oaks and Marshall Sheeley of Niles and sisters Lila Truhn of Galien, Michigan and Jean Rickerman of Galien. A time of visitation will be held on Monday, May 12, 2008 from 6-8 pm at Brown Funeral Home and also from 10-11 am on Tuesday, May 13th with Burt's funeral starting at 11:00 am. He will be interred at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in the Veteran's Garden. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.