Father of local woman, World War II Bronze Star recipient
Jim Sheetz (Courtesy drawing)
James M. “Jim” Sheetz, 91, of Framingham died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, at home, surrounded by family members. He was the beloved husband of Marjorie (Flemming) Sheetz, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage
In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his daughter Deborah Sheetz and her husband James Adelson of Harvard, Mass., and by his daughter Mary Beth Sheetz of Framingham. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Nathaniel, Erica, and Jeffrey Adelson. He was predeceased by his sister Claire Sheetz and half-siblings Mary Podall and Joseph Sheetz, all of Pennsylvania.
He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Sept. 18, 1922, the son of Mary (Barry) Sheetz and James M. Sheetz, Sr. Jim grew up in Hazleton, Pa., graduating from St. Gabriel’s High School. He went on to Pennsylvania State University, receiving a B. A. in December 1942, then enlisting in the U.S. Army in January 1943. During World War II, he was in Patton’s 3rd Army, 65th Division, fighting in multiple campaigns in North Africa, France, Austria, and Germany. As a member of the military police, Jim served as personal bodyguard to General Reinhart, using his many linguistic skills. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for his support of the division commander during the siege at Saarlauten, a campaign of many months and 600 miles of terrain.
Upon his return from active service, he studied at the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania. Jim was recruited by The Aetna Insurance Co. in 1948, and he continued in the Army Reserves, serving through the Korean War at Fort Sheridan, Chicago.
Jim worked for The Aetna for 18 years in Hartford, Detroit, Richmond, and Boston. While in Detroit, he met and fell in love with Marjorie Flemming; they were married in 1952. The couple transferred to Richmond in 1953, and then settled in Framingham in 1957. In 1966, he joined Raytheon in Lexington where he held the position of Insurance Risk Manager until his retirement in 1990.
Throughout his life, Jim was an athletics and fitness fan. He enjoyed tennis, softball, and basketball from youth, and took up running later, including completing the Long Island marathon at age 61. Jim was always a private, shy person. He earned the confidence of co-workers and was sought out for his quiet competency.
His family was his focus, with his children and later his grandchildren. He had a lifelong fondness for kidding and bad jokes; his daughters fondly remember tall tales—”fiction and fact from Dad’s almanac.” When the Golden Book series proved inadequate, Jim penned several original stories set in Framingham, for his daughters. Jim was often able to combine family and sports, witnessing countless soccer games and playing tennis with his grandchildren until the age of 82.
Jim enjoyed travel, taking multiple trips to Europe, including revisiting many places he’d seen under harsher circumstances during World War II. Paris remained his and Marjorie’s favorite destination. He also relished trips to Arizona, California, Texas, New York, Michigan, and Canada. Even after he suffered a serious stroke in 2005, his disability did not deter him from wintering in St. Augustine, Fla. for many years.
As the later effects of stroke continued to slow Jim in recent years, Marge and especially Mary Beth provided devoted, daily care until his death. The family is grateful for all the support from the VA Boston Geriatric Clinical Center at the Harvard Medical School, Framingham Union Hospital, and the many nurses, aides, and therapists whose contributions made it possible for Jim to remain at home with his family.
It was Jim’s request that there be no public services. The family is planning a celebration of his life at a later date.
