PLAINS – Robert L. "Bob" Sheldon, age 78, died Wednesday evening, March 11, 2009, at his Plains, Kansas residence.

He was born June 6, 1930, at Dodge City, Kansas, the son of Dewey D. and Bessie L. Bromwell Sheldon. As a young boy he attended the Plains school system, graduating from Plains High School in 1948. Upon his graduation, he attended Dodge City Community College, graduating in 1950. After his education, he farmed in Stratford, Texas, for many years. He later worked for National Beef, retiring in 1997. He was a lifetime resident of Plains.

He enjoyed gardening and was known in Plains as "Bob the garden king", hunting and fishing, sports, Kansas State University sports, delivering Meals on Wheels for four years, and spending time with his family and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy.

He was a member of the Plains Christian Church and was a member of AA for thirty-four years.

On May 30, 1950, he married Mildred "Mickey" Ruder in Dodge City, Kansas. She survives.

Other survivors include:
His children, Robert "Bob" Sheldon, Jr. of Plains, Kansas
Kathy Novinger of Meade, Kansas
William "Bill" Sheldon of Hutchinson, Kansas
Jerry Sheldon of Lyons, Kansas
Sharon Ratzlaff of Plains, Kansas
Jane Berry of Perryton, Texas

A sister, Kay Bradford of Georgetown, Texas

21 Grandchildren, Crystal, James, Dennis, Dustin, Terry, Carie, Sara, Mandy, Derek, Cassy, Nicki,
Mindy, Christy, Becky, Stacy, Tyler, Cory, Elizabeth, Clay, Ray Lee & Katie

22 Great-grandchildren 10 Great-great-grandchildren

He is preceded in death by a son, Thomas G. Sheldon on April 27, 2003, and a grandson, Preston Sheldon on July 22, 2004.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009, at the Plains Christian Church, Plains. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Inurnment will be in the Plains Cemetery, Plains. Cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers the family would welcome memorials to the Plains Christian Church of the Meade District Hospital Respiratory Department in care of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.