ANGOLA — Much of Steuben County and the surrounding area is feeling the loss of an icon as word came out concerning the passing of Mr. Charles “Chuck” Sheets late Sunday.
Mr. Sheets reportedly passed away Sunday morning, after just celebrating his 94th Birthday on Friday.
He was a developer, philanthropist and much more to the residents of Angola and Steuben County. Swick Broadcasting CEO Steve Swick remarked, “We certainly lost a tremendous amount of knowledge and community history with the passing of Chuck.” Swick remarked of found memories eating lunch at the "round table" with Mr. Sheets.
Notably he was known for being the (former) owner of Sheets LP Gas.
Mr. Sheets grew up in the land of “101 Lakes”. He continued his postsecondary education at Indiana University. Upon returning home to Steuben County he became an economic leader by developing still thriving business locations such as the Country Fair Shopping Center and Angola Industrial Park.
He was a founding board member of the Steuben County Community Foundation, instrumental in helping found the YMCA of Steuben County.
Above anything, Sheets and his late wife, Ruth Ann, were known for their kindness and generosity whether it was quietly helping a person in need or establishing scholarships or endeavors that would benefit their community for a lifetime. One of the most recently started projects under their name is development of the Sheets Family Park at the YMCA.
In 2016, Sheets The Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest civilian honor in Indiana. The award was presented to him on the campus of Trine University campus.
“Chuck is a true Hoosier. Throughout his life he has contributed to the health and well-being of Angola, Steuben County, the State of Indiana and our country,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine president, in a letter nominating Sheets for the Sagamore award. “He is a gentleman of highest character who provides wise counsel and genuinely cares for everyone.”
According to Trin.edu “Sheets established the Harcourt & Elsta Sheets Scholarship at Trine University in memory of his parents and has supported the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, the Humanities Institute and Trine’s general scholarship fund. He also has responded to unique opportunities such as contributing top soil for capital projects.”
Mr. Sheets and his business success reached far beyond his home of Steuben County and the state of Indiana. Mr. Sheets even had business connections to nearby Branch and Hillsdale counties in Michigan, as well as Williams County, Ohio. He often met with Eugene Mallar, Manager of the Camden Independent Phone Company which served parts of the tri-state area, primarily in Michigan. He saw Mallar and other local phone company leaders introduce early car phones into the local community.
Steuben County and mankind are better because of people like Chuck Sheets, who lived a life showing an example of how hard work pays off, but more importantly that a little kindness goes a long way.
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