Max D. Sheets, 87, Goshen, died Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 21, 2016, at Courtyard Healthcare, where he had recently been admitted.

He was born June 7, 1929 in Nappanee to Paul and Alma (Buss) Sheets.

On Feb. 19, 1947 he married Phyllis Joan Weaver. She died March 3, 1980. He later married Doris (Walsh) Curry in Goshen on Oct. 5, 1984.

She survives along with his sons: Larry (Barbra) Sheets, Syracuse; Bradley (Carla) Sheets and Steven Sheets, both of Goshen; step-children: Rebecca (Rev. Charles) DeMent, Guilford; David Ray Curry, Portland, Tenn.; Karen Sue (Steve) Blackwell-Cole, Deborah (Khalaf) Mashhour and Linda Kay (Kenneth) Madison, all of Goshen; eight grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 16 step-grandchildren; many step great-grandchildren; and a sister, Donabell Hoffman, Akron.

Along with his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Sheets and a sister, Kathryn Sheets.

Max was a 1947 graduate of Concord High School, where he played basketball for Les McCuen. His occupations included 16 years at Nibco; farming; ESI Meats; bulk milk driver; co-owner of Sports Spot; US Brass; and Goshen Cushion, retiring in 1995.

He owned the Sheets Happy Puppy Ranch from 1989 to 2010, producing over 700 Cocker Spaniel and Miniature Schnauzer puppies.

Max was an avid Notre Dame basketball and football fan, traveling to Ireland in 1996 for the Notre Dame vs. Navy football game. He also loved to eat chicken at the Riverview Tavern, also known as Ma’s.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, with a memorial service at the funeral home directly after.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or Riverview Adult Daycare at Trinity United Methodist Church, Elkhart.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.