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Merton James Sheeley, Jr.

Merton James Sheeley, Jr. was born in Oakland, Calif. on April 11, 1928. He was the first born to Merton James Sheeley, Sr. and Mildred Vingo, followed by five siblings, Maureen, Eugene, Kathleen, Pauline and Rosemary.

Shortly after the Great Depression era when Mert was a young teen, he ventured into the workforce to help care for his mother and younger siblings. His first job was bagging and carrying groceries at the local market. He then became a golf caddy at the Sequoyah Country Club in Oakland, where his love for golf developed. He tried working in the Naval yards, only to be ousted when they realized he was so young. He found his calling in the construction trade as a plumbing apprentice with J.R. Pierce Plumbing, in San Leandro, Calif. He worked hard, picking up the trade quickly and progressed to journeyman plumber, plumbing instructor, then plumbing inspector with the cities of Oakland and Hayward. He retired at the young age of 55.

Mert came to Hayden, Idaho in 1983, to realize the dream he and his wife, Claire, shared to build a home on Hayden Lake. They designed and built, mostly with their own hands, a beautiful home on McLeans Bay that was an exciting highlight of their 46 years together.

In 1970, he had met Claire Wukich while attending night school at Chabot College, in Hayward, Calif., where they had both returned to study as adults. Remember the song, “Strangers in the Night?” Well, they rewrote it to be, “Strangers in the Night School.” Married in 1972, their families merged into a modern, blended family of six, with three daughters and one son.

Between 1972 and 1983, they took the kids on many camping trips throughout California and Canada. During these travels they fell in love with Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and set their goal to retire here. Another great joy they shared was going to the North Beach area of San Francisco on Friday date nights, where they socialized with many of the city “characters” that provided a lifetime of stories.

Mert was great with his hands. He hand-painted his first car, a Ford Model A, which his father, Merton Sr. taught him how to do. He owned his first “new” car at 18 years old. He loved to tinker and later completely rebuilt an old PG&E 1960s Ford Ranchero from the frame up. He worked on his own car engines until the newer cars required computer work. At age 85, he bought a 1973 Ford Ranchero, which allowed him to relive and connect to his earlier project.

His experience in the building trade sparked his interest in building houses. He designed and built a modern 1960s flat rooftop home for his first wife, Joyce Goodfellow, and their two children, James and Susan, in Castro Valley, Calif. This first work of love and design still stands today.

In 1952, Mert volunteered to enlist in the U.S. Army with his only brother Eugene, who had been recently drafted. When the Army learned of his love of photography, he was trained in photographic reconnaissance, where he became a photo intelligence officer during the Korean War. His love and respect for his country never wavered. In 2016, his good friend, Jerry Bauer, arranged and accompanied him on an Honor Flight to visit all the war memorials in Washington, D.C. He was recognized for his sacrifice and service under our flag with a ranking of Sergeant First Class.

After 10 magical years in their dream home on Hayden Lake, they decided it was time to truly retire and move closer to town. Purchasing a beautiful home near Avondale Golf Course, Mert picked up his beloved game again. He played in the men’s club for years and made many friends. He once shot a hole-in-one on hole No. 2. As a lefty, he enjoyed watching Phil Mickelson and all the big tournaments on television. One of his favorites was The Masters. His 90th birthday, just held in April, was Masters-themed and a huge success, with him getting his “Green Jacket” and hitting a straight and long drive off of Avondale’s 10th hole, bringing his crowd of family and friends to their knees.

Mert also loved to travel. During his long fulfilled life, he was privileged to travel to Europe, South America, the Caribbean Islands, and make a once in a lifetime trip to Italy alone with his daughter, Susan. He lived every day to its fullest, whether it was mowing the lawn, fixing the plumbing or enjoying a cocktail overlooking the water. He always had a positive attitude and was eager to face each day with a smile and a plan. He was always about getting things done. He enjoyed getting results and seeing the fruits of his labor. Can you say “Aries?”

Besides golf, Mert loved many sports. He was a huge Oakland Raiders fan, holding season tickets in those early good ol’ days of Stabler and Blanda. His greatest joys, however, were the love of his family, which included his kids; his only grandchild, Nicholas Wukich, who he was able to see graduate from Stetson University last year; his living siblings and his friendships of recent times with fellow golfers, Gordon Ramsden, Jerry Bauer and Bill Steinbrenner.

Mert was genuinely caring and helped many friends build, design or repair plumbing or construction challenges. One day he saw a woman in a wheelchair being hosed off in her backyard and was so upset by it that he donated his time and designed and built a bathroom onto that strangers house so she never had to bathe outside in the yard again. His newest friends at Northstar (Rachel and Bud) and Bestland Independent Living (Bob, Doris, Ella, Connie, Dana and many others) remember him as we do with great love and affection. He had a booming laugh, a robust personality, a zest for life, and love for his family, country and a good meal. His lifelong experiences and accomplishments left their mark. He did it his way.

He left this Earth on May 30, 2018, as he would have wanted. He had his favorite breakfast of hotcakes and talked to family members on the phone. He had two golf clubs in his hands and a golf ball in his pocket waiting for his buddy Gordon to pick him up to go play some golf. He will be missed dearly and fondly remembered in our hearts and minds, but mostly in our daily living. He spent Memorial Day weekend with family out on the back deck overlooking Avondale Lake with his favorite highball, Vodka on the rocks with water and a twist, and enjoyed a lovely family dinner celebration.

We’d like to thank Dr. Charles Laudenbach and Danielle of MultiCare in Spokane, Wash., for over 20 years of health care. More recently, we’d like to thank Dr. Marek Janout and his team, Melissa and Carrie of Kootenai Heart Clinics Northwest, in Coeur d’Alene, for his cardiology care. We as a family are very grateful for their care, compassion, support and humanity.

He is survived by his immediate family, his wife of 47 years, Claire Sheeley of Hayden; daughter, Lori (Warren) Wheeler of Nine Mile, Wash.; son, James Sheeley of Post Falls; daughter, Reneé Wukich of Hayden; daughter, Susan (Glen) Garcia of Coeur d’Alene; grandson, Nicholas Wukich of Hayden; his siblings, Maureen Mesquita of Castro Valley, Kathleen Sparaco of Livermore, Calif., Pauline Sheeley of Livermore; Rosemary Harris of Castro Valley; and their many children and grandchildren.

Our family appreciates all of your thoughtful words and prayers at this difficult time. In lieu of any flowers, make a charitable donation of your choice, or enjoy a family meal together where memories are made.

Celebration of Life Event

“Mert’s Tailgate Party — It’s A Wonderful Life”

To be held this Saturday, June 9 at 2 p.m.

Private Residence Garden

2755 E. Nettleton Gulch Road

Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815

Directions for parking at event to be directed — Look for white balloons

Recommend wearing comfortable shoes.