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<img class="size-medium wp-image-1571660" src="http://www.dailyjournal.net/wp-content/files/sites/9/2021/02/webPhoto743782.jpg" alt="Richard Norman Sheek" width="240" />Richard Norman Sheek
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FRANKLIN
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Richard Norman Sheek June 26, 1927 — February 4, 2021
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Richard grew up in Franklin Indiana and spent nearly all of his life there. He attended elementary school and Franklin High School but graduated from Tech High School in Indianapolis. During his early years he was a entrepreneur having a paper route, selling live chickens, trapping wild marketable critters and being the town’s "sure shot" for pesky birds.
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In 1944, immediately after high school, he joined the Navy and served in the last days of the War in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He ran the engines on an Landing Craft Infantry, LCI 1062, and helped remove Japanese prisoners from the Marianna Islands They also moved supplies from Saipan, Gaum, Pagan, Tinnion and back. On July 1, 1946 an atomic bomb test was to take place on Bikini Atoll and he was anxiously awaiting this experience when he received a chance to go home due to an unexpected vacancy. With some disappointment he chose to go home and was forever glad he did since health problems were common in those who watched.
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After his service he attended Purdue University on the GI Bill. During this time he met and married his first wife, Angeline Janitz, and their family began. It was some mighty lean years with money at a very short supply but they managed with the help of some odd jobs. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry and the addition of two children.
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After completion of college he accepted a job in California as a Forrest Ranger in the Sequioa National Forrest and the family spent 2 years in that location. Richard learned to fight fires and direct teams of fire fighters along with the other challenges of very rural living. During this time his marriage began to suffer and returning to Franklin seemed the best option. Divorce came shortly there after.
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Upon returning to Franklin he took a position with a building materials company, Lumberman’s Wholesale, where he met his second wife, Betty Ritchie. From there over the years, he worked for Wilhelm, Mid Republic, Geupel Demars and Terstep construction companies, and went into business for himself called New Britain Construction. This lasted for approximately 3 years but with a downturn in the trade he closed up shop and took a "sabbatical" for about 3 years. During this time he studied the Military Relics business and became very knowlegeble and respected. But again the need for cash flow entered in and he returned to construction. He hired into the Skillman Construction Management Company and retired from there at age 70 to attend to his ailing wife.
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For many years Richard and Betty were involved in politics receiving the Sagamore of the Wabash award in 1997 from then governor Frank O’Bannon. Richard was a precinct committeeman for 50 years and used his garage as a voting location many times. He was involved in miscellaneous duties for the party most of his life. He was also on the Franklin Planning Commission for 8 years.
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Richard was an avid fisherman always looking for new places to fish. His last main place was his cottage on Sugar Creek. His trapping and fish stories were abundant. He also became a more active military relics collector and vendor during his retirement years. Since his studies during his "sabbatical" led him down this road he was interested in the history that was involved in every item and enjoyed the research to retrieve the info. He also enjoyed travel, both this country and Europe visiting those places he had read about.
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Richard was also a member of the following: Ohio Valley Military Society, Ohio Gun Collectors Association, Elks Lodge-Life member, American Legion – second oldest life member, N.R.A. and the Christian Church.
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Anyone who knew Richard knows he was a great storyteller. If he could bend your ear for a time the stories would pour out and you would be transported to another place and time.
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Richard was born in Connersville, In. to Ruby Billingsley and Ralph Sheek. He is survived by his children, Jean Bowman and Norman Sheek and grandchildren Nancy Braswell, Stacy Bowman, Christine Bratton , six great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren with one on the way. His sister Jeannette Ritchhart, long time companion Jacqueline Chapman and his beloved dog Mahla survive him. He was preceded in passing by his parents, his wife Betty Sheek and brother Phillip Sheek. We will miss him terribly.
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A private family service will be held at Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home in Franklin. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Greenwood. A memorial service will be held in the spring or early summer at the American Legion, Franklin.
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