Sheldon M. Gedrose

Sheldon M. Gedrose, age 67, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Sheldon (Shelly) was born on June 1, 1943, in Sidney, Montana, the son of Morris Sheldon Gedrose and Frances (Tipton) Gedrose. He grew up in Belt, Montana and graduated from Belt High School in 1961. Shelly was a member of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Navy Reserves, Air Force Guard and Army Reserves. He served in the Philippines during the Vietnam War on the USS Maddox, USS Turner Joy, USS Bagley and USS Colonial during his Naval service from 1961 to 1967, and in Kuwait during Desert Storm as a part of the 410th Evac. Hospital in 1990-1991. During the course of his many years in service to his country he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, three Bronze Service Stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He was united in marriage to Mary (Powers) Duncan on October 15, 1983 in Garnett, Kansas. Their family was a true marriage of "yours, mine and ours" including Sheldon's children Candy Glickman, Donald Shannon, Lonny Ford, Rhonda Salazar and Chris Gedrose; Mary's child, Malia Duncan and their children Brian and Kevin Gedrose. Shelly worked for the Santa Fe Railroad as an accounting clerk for 19 years and then after leaving the Santa Fe he attended college at Neosho Community College and graduated in 1992 with a degree in nursing. He was director of nursing at Fairlawn Heights Nursing Facility in Topeka, Kansas; he started the home health agency for Anderson County Hospital in 1996; and retired in October 2010 from North Point Skilled Nursing Facility, Paola. Since his retirement he worked as an allied health instructor for Neosho County Community College at their Ottawa campus. He was a member of American Legion Post 48, and American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Shelly was a devoted husband, father and grandfather as well as friend to everyone. His Harley and his motorcycle buddies were a big part of his life and he enjoyed the freedom and fun their riding brought him. He recently retired and was fulfilling his personal "Bucket List" with a trip to Padre Island and San Antonio with his good friend, Jim Todd. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Lonny Ford. He is survived by his wife, Mary Gedrose of the home; children, Candy Glickman, Orange County, CA; Don Shannon, Henderson, NV; Rhonda and Roy Salazar, Garnett, KS; Chris Gedrose and Paula Spurrier, Sparks, NV; Malia Duncan and Justin Mercer, Olathe, KS; Brian and Laurie Gedrose, Garnett and Kevin Gedrose, Garnett; 18 grandchildren and one great grandchild; brother, Doug and Judy Gedrose, Helena, MT and sisters Janet and Fred Olson, Great Falls, MT and Sharon and Ron Desilva, Seekonk, MA; many nieces and nephews; and good friend and former spouse, Diane Gedrose. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 13, 2010, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Family will be present to greet friends on Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Anderson County Hospital Long-term Care Unit or the American Legion Riders. You may send your condolences to the family at our website at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .