I am sorry for your loss of David sheets. He’s been very good friend of mine. And good friend to my parents. I remember that he played the piano and four part harmony of the choir sing to me happy birthday.

I am saddened to learn of the earthly loss of my friend, former choir master and birthday brother. I had the rare privilege of setting under David’s guidance as a member of the choir at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland, Michigan. David’s unwavering gift of friendship helped guide many through troubled personal and spiritual times as well. His dedication to his savior through voices was only a small portion of whom he was as a man. You will be sorely missed my friend. Thank you for the many opportunities you gave us all. See you at the next big choir rehearsal in the sky!

I was so saddened and shocked to hear of David’s home going. His gain is our loss. I read his sister’s post and loved her tribute. Indeed, I can imagine him joyfully greeting his Lord and joining in the most incredible worship he has ever enjoyed! I am so thankful that God chose to have our lives intersect with David’s. I was part of the choir at Christian Fellowship Church when he came to lead us. He was an amazing man who led us with great joy and patience. More than anything David lived his faith. He encouraged us to get to know our Savior in a deeper, more meaningful way. He was so much fun – no one would ever think serving the Lord was drudgery if they watched David! He prayed for others faithfully. He often asked how he could pray for me. I am praying for Bea and all of his family as you all grieve his absence here on earth. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of David Sheets to us all!

As the aunt of Paul and David (3 and 5 years older, respectively), we had several summers together while their parents ministered at Camp Meetings throughout the US. My parents (Vernon and Grace Story) and I lived in Colorado Springs at the time, and I always looked forward to the day those boys would arrive! We did some serious playing…drawing cities on butcher paper in the basement, and ‘building’ our perfect homes, streets and places of business, with small plastic cars of choice. Hours were spent there! Then, we’d play either school, or church, with Paul mostly leading the music and David being the minister. One message I recall went something like this: David was preaching from Genesis, the story of the creation, standing on a box:
“And God said, Let there be light!!……….And the WAS light!!” “Now, what couldn’t we do without light?…Hmmmm….we couldn’t play…” in his sing-songy little voice!! That has stuck in my head as though it happened yesterday!  

Our play also included roller skating around the church property (the parsonage was next door to the church, connected by an underground tunnel so we didn’t have to get out in the weather if we preferred not to!), and riding bikes all over the neighborhood, and often scraping our big toes on the asphalt…oh ouch!!! This was one memory David and I just discussed on January 18th, both of us cringing as the memory was so real!

Another thing I recall about our time together as kids, was that Paul and David would always arrive at our house with pretty much shaved heads, and I really didn’t like that because they both had such beautiful hair! So, each summer, I would talk them into growing their hair out so that I could give them the perfect hair style!! They were so patient with me and I loved it!  

One of my duties as a preachers kid was to dust and vacuum the church, both upstairs and the classrooms down below. I have a vivid memory of David up on the platform (I’m not sure if Paul was with us that summer) as he said he would vacuum that area. I was busy doing my chores when I looked up and say David with the vacuum cord loosely coiled around his neck and shoulders while he began to play the piano! He was forever doing funny silly things, keeping us laughing!

Every day in July it seemed that we would have a huge downpour which meant pretty much a river out front of the house, so we took advantage of all that water making dams and floating whatever down that river!

Sweet, sweet memories that will always stay close to my heart. I’m forever grateful for the visit we had here in Idaho at Brock and Esther’s house in January. Little did we know…….. After they left, I began storing up more things for us to talk about in their next visit to Idaho. Guess that will wait until we meet again in heaven.  

Little David, you made an impact on my life even as a young nephew. Thank you for your dedication to the Lord’s service and for the influence you ended up having on many hearts and souls. You are loved and so missed.
Dorothy  

Dearest Bea, Brock & Bethany—- we were so very sad to hear of David’s sudden passing. We have such fond memories of our years together at Wheaton Wesleyan Church. We still talk about Second Saturdays at Moody Church, the grandiose musical productions at WWC and how David could get us to memorize all our music! I still remember him teaching us how to do donuts in the snowy church parking lot! And I recall a certain elevator ride when ALL of you started jumping up and down and laughing while the color drained out of our faces!! He was definitely one of a kind and his absence will be felt by all of us, near and far. We trust God to hold you tightly with the supernatural comfort only He can provide as you walk through your grief. We love you and send big bear hugs from the whole Crabtree family. 

I have so many fond memories of David, from leading choir at Christian Fellowship Church, to softball, singing downtown on the mall, choir retreats, and then again at McLean Bible. I looked high and low for a photo I have of David when he and Bea came to our house for Easter Dinner. We had several families from church come over for dinner and I can recall David wearing bunny ears and sitting in the familyroom chair with his head back, eyes closed, and I dare say “snoring” just a bit. It was priceless! David always had a smile on his face, a laugh that would brighten up your day, and the most amazing spirit. He truly was a beacon. David spent more than 10 years off and on playing tennis with my husband Paul and the tennis crew (Gary, Micah). They had a group that would play and every now and again I would sub in. One of the funniest times playing, I was at the net and David was opposite me. He hit the ball and instead of me returning the ball with my racket it hit me dead in the leg. Bless his heart, David was like “oh gosh are you ok” and then tried so hard not to chuckle. But we all were laughing. I think more because he felt so bad about hitting me with the ball, but lets be real, we were a very competitive bunch. David had such joy in his heart and his energy was palpable. You just wanted to be around him. His love of God, family, and people was beyond special. I was shocked to hear about David’s passing and it still really hasn’t sunk in. A precious loving friend gone to soon. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to Bea, Bethany, Brock and the grandkids. David will forever be in our hearts!

I am so very sad to hear of David’s passing. He was a genuinely nice man, truly a gentleman, and devoted Jesus follower. His faith is now made sight. I sang in his choir at CFC and we all loved him. Please give your Mom a big hug for me.

I was shocked and heartbroken to learn of David’s passing. David was such a joy to be around and such a blessing in my life, and so talented. Grateful for the time I got to know him at MBC and on the DR mission trip, in addition to the Tres Dias community. Heaven has truly gained an angel. I am praying for your entire family. Much love to you all!!


David Sheets, you are already dearly missed by so many. Your life and influence have a tremendous reach.

My favorite memories always included you getting a twinkle in your eye and beginning a sentence with “What if . . . “. “What if” led to amazing team building adventures, from indoor race tracks to “minute to win it”. “What if” brought about the family compound at BMR that became the welcoming destination for so many team gatherings. “What if” led to creating new ministry opportunities, including bringing “Re-Engage” to our church. And “what if” gave hope to the many people and marriages you invested in, deeply. My heart and my prayers are with you, Beatrice Sheets and all of the Sheets family. We have lost a contagious source of joy in our lives.


What is there to say that hasn’t already been said by so many others? My heart is shocked & grieved to hear of David’s passing! The impact that he has had on so many lives in faith, music & marriage is incredible! His sense of humor, incredible musical talent & the way he could jump into serious life/faith conversation in a nano! Even in moments when we bumped into each other out in the community I always loved asking for family updates. The joy on his face while talking about Beatrice, their children & grandchildren was contagious! “Now we only see in part, but then we shall see face to face.” You will be greatly missed! Praying for the whole family and so many of us who are still on this side of heaven! ❤❤?