Nancy Joanne Helwig Sheatler, age 84, of Claymont, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 12. The daughter of Calvin and Faye Helwig, Nancy was born in Limestoneville, PA. Theirs was a full house, as Nancy was one of six sisters. In 1954, while in high school, Arden Strauss pushed Dale Sheatler into Nancy and sparks flew! The next year, Nancy married her high school sweetheart and immediately following the wedding they headed to Chicago with $200 in cash and all their belongings. This began their fairy tale marriage that lasted for 68 wonderful years. They were by each other’s side for all the highs and lows of life. Together they raised three beautiful daughters, Debra Bolin, Karin DiSanto, and Susan Sweeney.
Nancy worked at a variety of retailers throughout the years including Almart, Wilmington Dry Goods, Boscov’s, and Value City. She enjoyed helping customers and making lifelong friends with her coworkers. For many years, she regularly had lunch with previous coworkers from her various stores.
Nancy loved to bowl, garden, travel, and watch the Phillies. Her favorite pastime, however, was gathering with family. Nancy loved playing games around the table with her husband, sisters, children, grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren. She was fiercely competitive and often encouraged her teammates to be creative in their interpretation of the rules.
Nancy and Dale were faithful members of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Wilmington for 57 years. Nancy regularly read her Bible with her morning meal. She was gentle, loving, and forgiving to her family and friends.
Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Dale, her sisters Kay Ross and Shirley Murray, her daughters Debra Bolin and Susan Sweeney (David Gregorio), her son-in-law Joe DiSanto, and her grandchildren Karianne Sparks (Adam Dillaha), Deanna Traugott (Eric), Louise Lopez (Phil), Jaclyn Smagala (Chris), Daniel Sweeney, and Nicole Bowers (Jonathan). She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Marie Rowan, Jean Laidacker, and Lois Heckman, and her daughter Karin DiSanto.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1530 Foulk Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19803 or Delaware Hospice at https://www.delawarehospice.org/donate.
Services will be held on Saturday, February 17 at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1530 Foulk Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19803. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. A lunch will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
