Edward Joseph Sheffield

1928 - 2010

Edward Joseph Sheffield, 81, passed away Jan. 21, 2010, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. Funeral services were held Saturday Jan. 23, 2010. Fr. Jeremy Myers, assisted by Deacon Tomas Avila, celebrated the Holy Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with interment following in St. Mary's Cemetery. The rosary was recited at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 at Dannel Funeral Home.
The younger of two sons, Ed was born to Solomon and Helen Dougherty Sheffield on Dec. 4, 1928, in Savannah, Ga., where he spent his youth. He attended parochial schools and graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1946.
Ed entered the U.S. Navy in June of 1946 and served as an aircraft controller at a pilot training center in Rhode Island. Upon being discharged from active duty, he entered Springhill College in Mobile, Ala. where he earned a bachelor of arts degree. He married Betty "Rusty" Hanson on Nov. 28, 1953, in Little Flower Chapel in Mobile, Ala.
An avid sports enthusiast, Ed in his youth played and excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He participated in school and city programs, eventually being elected to the Softball Hall of Fame in Savannah, Ga.
During his tenure in the U.S. Navy he continued to play basketball and baseball, and was on the varsity teams in both sports at Springhill College. After graduation he joined the Detroit Tigers professional baseball organization and played for their team in Wausaw, Wis.
After being recruited by a former teacher for employment as a laboratory technician in the industrial field, Ed was employed by a number of companies, including Ruberoid, Hunt Wesson, Swift, Lou Ana Foods, Anderson Clayton, and finally Kraft Foods. His life of service took him from coast to coast, from Savannah, Ga., to Fullerton, Calif., as well as to Louisiana and Illinois, and in 1980 to Sherman. In May 1993 he retired from Kraft Foods as a Production Manager.
In Ed's later years he enjoyed bowling, tennis, and golf. A past member of Woodlawn men's golf association, his passion for the "games" of golf was quite well known by the friends comprising the Noon Game. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Chapter of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sherman, Knights of Columbus Council 631 in Savannah, Ga., and a lifetime member of Professional Baseball Players of America.
With the onset of Alzheimer's, Ed's lifestyle changed dramatically, with the WNJ Medical Center's Time Out Program becoming his sole remaining interest. He thoroughly enjoyed his Monday and Wednesday outings and especially the caring, loving attention he received from volunteers as well as staff. His family will be forever grateful for the special nurture he was given by many caregivers at WNJ.
Preceding Edward in death were his parents, older brother and four of his seven children: Edward Joseph Jr., Michael Herbert, Claire Angele, and Judith Anne. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Betty "Rusty" Hanson Sheffield; his daughter Regina Cecilia Sheffield and son-in-law Tommy Dee Sexton of Sherman; two sons: David Henry of Sherman, and James Patrick and wife Alice Stagg Sheffield of Lafayette, Louisiana. Included among his survivors are granddaughters Kaitlyn Colleen Sheffield of Lafayette, Louisiana and Sydney Claire Sexton of Sherman, as well as his mother-in-law Frances Hanson of Mobile Ala.
You may sign the online guestbook at www.dannelfuneralhome.com.