Obituary of Terry L. Sheldon

Rev. Terry L. Sheldon, 80, passed away with his family by his side on January 19, 2018 after a long illness. He was born in Hudson, NY on June 25, 1937, son of Gerald and Mildred Sheldon. He graduated from Utica College. He was united in marriage to Mary Anne Seeger. Terry worked at Consolidated Sheet Metal Works as an estimator, engineer and construction manager for over 30 years. He followed his calling and earned his degree in Theology from University of the South and was ordained as a Priest in the Episcopal Church in 1986. It began in All Saints Chuch, Utica and led to serving at St. George's, Chadwicks, St. Mark's, Clark Mills and back to All Saints in Utica. He also served as a visiting chaplain at the Masonic Home from 1987 to 1992. He served, too, at the St. Joseph's Home in Utica. Terry felt called to aid the community on a wider basis. He was a member of the Diocesan Commission on Aging, helped prepare the guidelines for the Eucharistic Ministry to the Ill and Infirm, and was a member of the Diocesan Foundation Board. He joined the Army Reserves and the Conan American Legion Post #1000 in Chadwicks, which led to becoming a member of the Military Chaplains Association and local Civil Air Patrol where he was awarded the Chaplain of the Year for the New York Wing in 1992. Locally, he served his community by becoming a member of the Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star where he served as patron several times and was selected District Grand Lecturer in 1999. He was a member of the Clark Mills Historical Society and had served as their secretary. He joined the Oriskany Battle Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and served as Chaplain, President and later elected as State Chaplain of the Empire State Sons of the American Revolution. He was also Past Senior President of the Fort Schuyler Society Children of the American Revolution. He is survived by his wife Mary Anne; two daughters, Mary Lynn Abbott and Kathleen and Daryl Lonero of Utica; his son Stephen Sheldon of Claremont, NH; five grandchildren; four great-granddaughters; his brother and sister-in-law Bruce and Joan Sheldon of Valatie; in-laws Robert Young and Janet Seeger; and many nieces, nephews and friends. A Celebration of his Life will be held at St. George's Church in Chadwicks on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 11am and interment at Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica. You are all invited to call on Tuesday from 4-7pm at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College St., Clinton. Contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund at St. George's in Chadwicks, St Mark's in Clark Mills, All Saints in Utica or the HealthwellFoundation.org. The family appreciates the Healthwell Foundation's assistance. Terry's story would not be complete without this passage from the Bible which guided his life through these many years. "God has told you what is good, and what is it that the Lord asks of you? Only to act justly, to love loyally and walk humbly before your God." (Micah 6:8).