Donald A. "Donnie" Sheetz

Donald Allen "Donnie" Sheetz, 94, of Berryville, Virginia passed away on November 7, 2025. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, teacher, trooper and grandfather "Pawpaw." Donnie was born July 4, 1931, in Woodstock, Virginia, the son of the late John Allen and Ruth Rebecca Dellinger Sheetz. He grew up hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors and beautiful surroundings of the Shenandoah County area where the Shenandoah River and the Massanutten Mountains were a big part of his life.

Donnie graduated from Woodstock High School where he excelled at sports, especially baseball. He attended Massanutten Military Academy following high school, where he also played baseball, and then enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served in Morocco, North Africa during the Korean War. Donnie played baseball for the United States Air Force team and was ultimately invited to a tryout by the Brooklyn Dodgers following his honorable discharge from the Air Force.

Following his stint in the Air Force, Donnie completed law enforcement academy training and joined the Virginia State Police where he began a long career that spanned 32 years. He was initially stationed in Greene County, Virginia where, in 1955, he married his beloved wife, Betty June Vaughn. Their enduring union would last 52 years. He was soon transferred to Area 13 which included Clarke, Frederick, and Warren counties. Donnie and Betty resided in Berryville, Virginia.

Donnie went on to a distinguished career as a Virginia State Trooper where he was recognized and respected for his professionalism and gentlemanly demeanor. He was a member of the Virginia State Police pistol shooting team and was a certified firearms instructor. Following his retirement from the Virginia State Police at age 56, Donnie worked in private security for a large Virginia estate until he officially retired at the age of 84.

Donnie characteristically shunned the spotlight professionally and personally, preferring to spend time outdoors and with his people. His favorite times were those spent with his extended family during their many get togethers during holidays, birthdays, hunting and fishing trips and the annual game feast enjoyed for many years by the entire family. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2447, Edinburgh, Virginia; the Woodstock Museum; the Winchester – Frederick County Conservation Club; and the Berryville Presbyterian Church.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty and his parents, John and Ruth. Donnie is survived by his sister, Josephine (Randy) and brother, Jack (Linda), three children, Melissa Seward (Mike), John (MJ) and Daniel (Cari); six grandchildren, Katey (Bobby), Megan, Carter (Stephanie), Chase (Casey), Cullen, Olivia (Ben), and twelve great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by four sisters-in-law, Ethel Seal (Denny), Susan Harper (Larry), Sharon Kaiser (Joe), and Kathy Lineweaver and one brother-in-law Walter Vaughn (Peg).

A funeral service will be held 11:00 A. M. Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Enders & Shirley Funeral Home Chapel, Berryville with Mr. R. K. Shirley III officiating. A graveside committal service will be 2:00 P. M. Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Massanutten Cemetery, Woodstock.

Pallbearers will be Virginia State Police Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Sheetz, Eric Sheetz, Danny Sheetz, Winston Lutz, Tommy Rosenberger and C.T. Hardesty.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Clarke County Little League Baseball, P O Box 812, Berryville, VA 22611, Clarke County Animal Shelter, 225 Ramsburg Rd., Berryville, VA 22611, or John H. Enders Fire & Rescue Co., 9 S. Buckmarsh St., Berryville, VA 22611.

The funeral service will be livestreamed online, you can find the link on Donnie's web page at endersandshirley.com.