6/21/1919 - 11/8/2015

John Michael Sheeran was born June 21, 1919 in Waseca, MN. He was the fourth of five sons of John and Agnus (Hayden) Sheeran. He went Home on November 8, 2015 at the proud age of 96.

John lived in Minnesota until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on December 6, 1940. He proudly served his country for 30 years as an aviation machinist mate, retiring in 1960 with a rank of Chief Petty Officer. During his Navy career he, as a member of the crew of the USS Wichita (CA45), was part of many world War II battles, including PQ17 and the invasion of North Africa. His squadron was part of the Berlin Air Lift and was the most active of all units in providing coal to the people of Berlin.

After his retirement from the Navy he completed his education at UNO and taught math at Norris Junior High School for 20 years. He retired from Omaha Public Schools in 1982.

John was a world traveler and he and his wife Linda visited many parts of the world. They loved to fish and would spend many hours "drowning worms" at Lake Manawa or the pond that son John built "just for them" in Kansas. He was well read and loved, if prompted, to tell stories of his Navy life. John was especially proud of his military service and continued that as the Chief of the USS Wichita/USS Tuscaloosa Veterans' Association.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Durfee Sheeran, a granddaughter Colleen Sheeran and three brothers, Norbert, Don and Francis Sheeran. John is survived by his wife Linda; two daughters, Ann Demory of Port Orchard, WA, Jennifer Patterson of Bothell, WA; two sons, John (Michelle) of Hiawatha, KS and Steve (Bette) of West Palm Beach, FL; 9 grandchildren, Jenny (Steve) Ostrom, Chris (Jennifer) Sheeran, Katie (Ben) Kettler, Michael (Roxane) Sheeran, Ben (Jackie) Demory, Patrick (Jane) Sheeran, Mallory (Eric) Cunningham, Danny Sheeran and Eric Blevins; 19 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

VISITATION with the family Thursday, 6-8pm, Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Friday, 11am at St. Peter's Catholic Church. A lunch will immediately follow in Kottas Social Hall at St. Peter's.

Interment Offutt AFB Cemetery with military rites tendered by the Offutt AFB Honor Guard. The family will direct memorial contributions.

CUTLER-O'NEILL-MEYER-WOODRING Bayliss Park Chapel 545 Willow Ave., Council Bluffs, IA 712-322-7779