Gary Keith Sheetz, age 74, of Washington, Iowa, died Monday, September 12, 2016, at the Washington County Hospital following a battle with cancer.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 16th at the United Methodist Church in Washington with Pastor Jim Stiles and Pastor Marlene Janssen officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Thursday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Private family interment will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Washington County 4-H or the West Chester Heritage Building. Online condolences may be sent for Gary's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Gary was born May 13, 1942 in Washington, Iowa, the son of Don and Ruth Forinash (Wells) Sheetz. He attended school in West Chester, graduating from West Chester High School in 1960. Gary attended Iowa State University for two years then returned to Washington when he had an opportunity to rent the Dave Livingston farm on the northeast side of Washington in 1963. This later became Sheetz Farms, Inc. in 1967. He was united in marriage to Kay E. McCrary on February 25, 1967, in Washington, Iowa.

Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing and mushrooming. He participated in tractor pulls throughout the state with the Iowa State Tractor Pull Association. He won the Iowa State Fair tractor pull competition in 1965. Gary enjoyed traveling and playing cards with his family and friends, but most importantly he cherished the time spent with his children and grandchildren, supporting and encouraging their many school, 4-H and sporting activities. He took great pride in the time spent at the farm alongside his son, Brad, and sharing his agricultural knowledge with his grandchildren.

Gary is survived by his wife, Kay Sheetz of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Sara Buchholtz and husband Kirk of Katy, Texas; daughter, Lora Breitbach and husband John of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; son, Brad Sheetz and wife Lynne of Washington, Iowa; five grandchildren: Molly & Tyler Breitbach, and Jade, Blake & Tate Sheetz; sister, Sharon Hahn and husband Ed of Keota, Iowa; one niece and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.