Deacon Mike Sheil

Deacon Mike Sheil, 73, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away suddenly on Monday, April 14, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Michael David Sheil was born October 27, 1951 in Rock Island, Illinois, to James Bernard “Barney” Sheil and Marjorie Catherine Irish. Mike graduated from Alleman Catholic High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1970. He married his high school sweetheart, C. Patrice Wood (who Mike fondly called Cora); they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2021.

Mike completed the USMC Communications-Electronics School, Twentynine Palms, California. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Iowa to farm. He was a member of Carpenters Local 4 and was a carpenter, contractor, and superintendent in construction. In 1988, Mike was ordained a deacon for the Davenport Diocese. He presided at weddings, baptisms, funerals, and ministered to the sick. Many will remember Mike for his work with teens through the Christ in Others (COR) retreats.

Some of Mike’s favorite activities included woodworking, riding his motorcycle, and loudly supporting Notre Dame football. Mike was a devotee of authentic local dining (Buzzy’s, Chuckie’s, and Dad’s) and creameries (Country Style).

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Barney and Marjorie, and brother, James. He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughters Kathleen (Karl) and Amy (James); son Andy; sisters Pam (Jim) and Trish; brother Jerry; grandchildren Nathan, Conor, Aidan, Maeve, and Jack; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Visitation is April 21, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeWitt, with a Rosary at 2:30 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass is April 22, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with additional visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Burial and Military Rites will be at St. Patrick’s-Villa Nova Cemetery, followed by a reception at St. Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Vincent Mission, David, Kentucky, for home repairs: https://stvincentmission.org, or Tunnel to Towers Foundation: https://t2t.org/.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com