Ivan (Jake) Howard Sheeler, age 89 of Newton, formerly of Monroe, passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at MercyOne Newton in Newton. Visitation will take place on Monday, December 26 2022 from 4 – 6 pm at Coburn Funeral Home in Monroe. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 10:00 am at the Monroe Presbyterian Church in Monroe. Burial will take place at Silent City Cemetery in Monroe. Memorials may be directed to the Monroe Ambulance Unit or the Monroe Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

The son of Howard and Lillian (Van Baale) Sheeler, Ivan was born on July 27, 1933, in Monroe. On August 9, 1952, he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Kent in Newton. They made their home in Monroe, Iowa where they raised their three daughters. Ivan began working at an early age. He learned the skills of a farmhand, electrician, plumber, mechanic, truck driver and carpenter, just to name a few. Those traits soon labeled him as a "Jake of All Trades". He could fix almost anything. Ivan worked many years as a carpenter for McCracken and Van Zomeran. He helped build many homes and structures in the County. Ivan retired from Jasper County Secondary Roads after 21 years of service. Ivan was most proud of the home he and Mary Lou built. It was completely renovated, which included turning a two-story house into a ranch style home. That home was filled with his strong faith and family that he loved dearly. He was a loyal servant of God and a dedicated husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa. Ivan and Mary Lou spent many hours traveling to see their family and enjoyed the activities of the grandchildren and later great grandchildren. On these trips, Ivan's toolbox was always packed to fix something. Ivan loved to visit and never knew a stranger. He loved sitting on his front porch with a cup of coffee along with a cookie or two, a mint in his pocket or some dentyne gum.

Those left to honor his memory are his daughters, Connie Smith, Debbie (Ron) Calvert, and Cheryl (Greg) Rhead: eight grandchildren, Landi Smith, Nathan Smith, Megan (Brent) Sanders, Lacey (Matt) Calvert, Laura Calvert, Kaity (James) Gale, Scott (Sheena) Rhead and Alex (Jill) Rhead: 14 great grandchildren, Cartyr, Taylor, Keegan, Noora, Joey, Sawyer, Braylen, Axel, Ada, Dalia, Adley, Walker, Charlotte and Brock; a brother, Robert (Nona Kain) Sheeler, special family members, Cassie and Edward and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Ivan in death were his wife, Mary Lou, infant son, William Howard; his parents and sisters, Mary, Kathleen, Martha, JoAnn, Gladys; his in-laws, Floyd and Faye Kent; numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and nephew, Jim Kent.