Obit: Sheets, George L. “Pappy” (1944 - 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Streets, Gindt, Jeske, Drost, Horgen, Bennett, Hecht, Thornton, Knar, Plautz

----Source: Plombon Funeral Home (Stanley, Clark Co., WI) 10/28/2020

Sheets, George L. “Pappy” (18 June 1944 – 16 October 2020) With Flag

George L. “Pappy” Sheets, 76, of Stanley, passed away, on Friday, October 16, 2020 at home.

He was born during a thunderstorm on June 18, 1944 to the late Chester “Roy” and Mary (Gindt) Sheets at Victory Memorial Hospital in Stanley. George grew up in the Town of Wilson where he spent many hours in the fire tower with his dad who was a fire spotter. He fought fires for years.
George graduated from Augusta High School in 1963. He worked for Jack Thorton and later worked for Johnny Knar. George then worked for Plautz Brothers and even drove semi for a bit. He then went to work as a police officer in the cities of Cornell and Stanley, ending his career in Thorp.

He also served in the Army Reserves during the Vietnam War. George was an “Old School” police officer. He walked the streets of Thorp for many years; checking doors to make sure the community businesses were all locked up and safe. He was also very good to all the young people who loved to stop and have conversations with him while he was having a smoke. George often spoke of his “Copping” days and how much he missed them. He made many friends throughout these years and had some great memories.

George loved cats and had many over the years. He also had a love for peanut butter cups, malts and ginger snaps. George had some hidden secrets and one of them was that he could actually cook. He’d make a meal that would make people wonder what was in it; but it would be amazing!

One Friday evening in 1995, George stopped at Cathy Jeske’s and invited her out for coffee. This began a 25 year roller coaster ride with her and her six sons. He loved spending time talking military history with them. George was an avid student of military history, particularly air craft and could identify most allied air craft with a cursory glance at a photo contained in a book long out of print. He loved telling the boys stories of his Uncles in WWII and how he’d love to sit around talking with
them and other “old timers” as they reminisced over a beer or two.

George was a voracious reader and had a collection of hundreds of books that he accumulated over the years. He loved Jack Higgins and Louis L ’Amour, among others. George was happiest spending time with family, especially during the holidays. One favorite memory the boys have is the annual charades on Christmas evening. The best one was when George needed to act out John Travolta. Just picture this big man trying to do a disco dance! During the years, the family grew, and he loved every minute of it. He had a special love for all the kids, grandkids and great granddaughters. He used to tell Cathy they may not be biologically mine but they’re mine! He taught them all so many things and will be missed so much.

George had amazing one liners that he’d use quite often. It would make his day when someone would have a mouthful of whatever they were drinking as it would go flying when he’d say something with a totally straight face. George hung onto everything, but he’d know where everything was and always had whatever someone needed. A couple of days before he passed one of the boys needed something and of course he not only had it; he knew right where it was.

George was called Pappy by his family and he wore this name proudly: He is survived by his companion, Catherine Jeske of Stanley, his boys, Eric (Roxann) Drost of Stanley, Cory (Kathy) Drost of Thorp, Brandon (Carrie) Drost of Stanley, Jesse (Shelley) Drost of Derwood, MD, Shane (Jennifer) Horgen of Chippewa Falls and Jordan (Denelle) Jeske of Minneapolis, MN, grandchildren, Andrew (Kelly), Matthew, Reece, Megan, Douglas, Cameron, Aiden, Sean, Liam, Madeline and Emma, 2 great-granddaughters, Stella and Lola and his two sisters, Nancy Bennett of Onalaska and Barbara (Dave) Hecht of Holmen.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

One of the last conversations George had with Catherine prior to his death; was a dedication of a song to her: “I’ll be the Blue Star on the Right”-Willie Nelson 2020.

RIP: Pappy, as you patrol the streets of Heaven.