Ervin Earl Sheeley was born October 8, 1912 at White Lake, South Dakota, the son of John and Tena (Schilling) Sheeley.

At the age of two and a half, he moved with his parents five miles northwest of Capa, South Dakota, in the spring of 1914.  They lived on this homestead near Little Prairie Dog Creek for five years.  In 1922, the family moved eight miles north of Midland, along Highway 14, near the Black and Yellow Trail.

Ervin received his elementary education in the Little Prairie Dog School.  High school was started at the Prairie Queen School.  The second year of high school was started in Midland but ended at Christmastime because his dad became very ill and Ervin stayed home to work the family farm.

In 1933, he, along with his four horses, worked on Highway 14 north of Midland.  He also did share cropping.  In 1937, he went to work for Archie Joy in the trucking business.

Ervin was united in marriage to Ann Ahboltin on February 5, 1939, at Pierre, South Dakota, and to this union was born a son, Robert, and a daughter, Beverly.

In 1943, Ervin became the Standard Oil bulk agent in Midland, from which he retired from on December 1, 1973.  He joined the Midland Volunteer Fire Department about the time he came to Midland and was Fire Chief for 25 years.  In 1959, he purchased a propane business, which he kept until 1967.

Ervin was a member of Trinity Luthern Church and later of the Open Bible Church in Midland.  He was very much involved in the work of the church, teaching Sunday School and holding numerous board offices.  He joined the Gideons International in the 1960s and continued to be very active until the time of his death.  Sharing his faith in the lord was a goal that he continued to strive for during his entire life.  He served on the town board for many years, as well as worked with the Commercial Club, Midland Pinoeer Museum, Midland Senior Citizens, and the Cemetery Board.

Hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling with his family, and enjoying life kept him busy.  In 1983, along with other men, he went ot the Philippines and built a church on the island of Menano.  He and his wife enjoyed traveling, which took them overseas to Israel, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark.

His wife preceded him in death on December 1, 1994.

Grateful for having shared his son, Robert Sheeley and his wife, Doris, of Midland; a daughter, Beverly Johnson and her husband, Luther, of Denver, Colorado; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, Ann, he was preceded in death by his parents, John and Tena Sheeley; two brothers, Donald and Richard; and one sister, Bessie.

Services
Tuesday, November 21, 2000
2:00 p.m.
Open Bible Standard Church
Midland, South Dakota

Officiating
Pastor Dan Carlson

Music
Kim Bierle - Organist
Congregational Hymns
Flute Solo by Darla Sheeley - "Amazing Grace"

Ushers
Ronnie Doud - Kory Bierle

Active Pallbearers
Tim Sheeley - Reg Johnson
Keith Sheeley - Randy Nemec
Eric Johnson - John Nemec

Honorary Pallbearers
All the relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota