Martha Louise Merrill Sheets

Martha was born March 25, 1923 and passed away peacefully on September 18, 2016 after a brief illness. Many people had the chance to say goodbye in her final hours and testified to her positive and loving way of life. Martha always found the good in people, and believed that everyone was important. She had a gift for conversation and always put it to good use. Martha was a proud graduate of DeVilbiss High School and attended Toledo University the following fall of 1941. She had a teaching fellowship in Business Administration and graduated with her BBA in 1945. With WWII over, she renewed a childhood friendship with Ted C. Sheets and they were married in December of 1946. She was a lifetime member of the UT Alumni Association and a member of Mortar Board (via Peppers). Three of her four children graduated from UT. She was active in many organizations in Toledo, and had the honor of being appointed the first woman Commissioner of Metroparks Toledo after helping to successfully champion the levy that created Wildwood Metropark. She was active in her church, serving for many years as Sunday school superintendent. She was a noted public speaker on diverse topics such as Chrismon Trees, Johnny Appleseed, and Butterflies to many organizations throughout NW Ohio. In 1980, she moved to Chattanooga, TN; “Bloom Where You are Planted” was one of her mottos. In Chattanooga, she became quite active with the Chattanooga Symphony Guild, working as historian for many years on Decorator’s Show Houses. She was a past president of the Chattanooga Little Theater Associates and active in many other organizations. She was a member of Zonta International in both Toledo and Chattanooga, and PEO in Chattanooga. She returned to Toledo in 2008 and spent her twilight years in the loving care of Swan Creek Retirement Village, catching up with her many friends from earlier days and making new ones. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Maumee and loved to worship there. Her family is ever so grateful for the many people who helped her complete her life’s journey. “Well done, good and faithful servant!” She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Ted C. Sheets and her daughter Susan Sheets-Pyenson. She leaves a loving family of her son, Thomas Merrill (Kitty) Sheets, daughter Laura Louise (Jim) Kroeger, son Charles Ira (Beth) Sheets; sister Ruth McClurg; eight grandchildren and eight+ great-grandchildren. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made in her memory to Swan Creek Retirement Village, First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, or Metroparks Toledo. Visitation will be Friday, September 23, from 5-8 p.m. at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. There will be a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church of Maumee Saturday, September 24 at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Toledo Memorial Park. Please view Martha’s Memorial video tribute and leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

Martha Louise Merrill Sheets

March 25, 1923 - September 18, 2016