Dale T. Sheets, 91, of West Lafayette, passed away surrounded by his family at 6:10 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2011 at St. Elizabeth East Hospital in Lafayette. He was born February 5, 1920 in Round Grove to the late Otis and Lela (Clawson) Sheets. He attended Round Grove Public School from 1926 until his graduation in 1938. He received his Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1942, his Masters of Science in 1956 and his Education Specialist Degree in 1963. While at Purdue he was recognized as the Outstanding English Major and won the Poetry Cup given by Professor Thomas Cordell. His marriage was to Margaret E. Frazier on April 13, 1940 in Round Grove. She preceded him in death on June 8, 2004. Dale was in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 and was the last living officer of the USS Thomas, a destroyer escort, serving in World War II. Mr. Sheets operated the family farm in Round Grove from 1946. He then taught school for 28 years in West Lafayette, West Lebanon, Round Grove and Wolcott where he was principal. He was the first Superintendent at Frontier Schools for 19 years. Dale and his family were long time members of the Badger Grove Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for 65 years. He was an accomplished writer publishing the books Fond Recollections and Thy Sweet Love Remembered plus collections of poetry and letters from WWII and children's books Apache and the Coyotes and Molly. In 1973 he was instrumental in the development of the Chianina breed of cattle in the United States. He had the first Chianina bull and the first sale in Indiana. He was involved with that breed for 55 years and was a founding member of the Indiana Chianina Association. He was the Master of Ceremonies of White County's Queen Contest for the first ten years, and also of the beef show for many years. He enjoyed traveling the world with multiple trips to Europe, China and Japan, Africa, Canada, the Middle East, Peru, South America and Australia. In April of this year he traveled to Ireland with his son Robin and wife Rebecca and a special friend, Rita Emmons. Mr. Sheets was awarded the distinguished Sagamore of the Wabash in 1983. He was a charter member of the White County Agricultural Hall of Fame, and a member of the Indiana Superintendents Association and Prairie Writers Guild. Dale was a golfer and also liked fishing and horse racing. He lived as an example of integrity and family values and passed that gift on to his family and the many students whose lives he touched over his many years as an educator. He still owns the original Sheets farm and continued to organize and host the Sheets family reunions there. He took great pride in his family and being the glue that continued to hold the family together through his efforts to perpetuate the reunions. He will be greatly missed. Surviving are two sons, Randy Sheets of Brookston and Dr. Robin Sheets (wife: Rebecca) of West Lafayette; two daughters, Elaine Nesius (husband: Rod) of Brookston and Jessica Rule (husband: Jan) of Monticello and a brother, Avery Sheets (wife: Alice) of Lafayette, a sister-in-law, Wilma Frazier of West Lafayette, a brother-in-law, Robert Frazier of Reynolds, and an ex-daughter-in-law, Linda Sheets Avery. Dale loved spending time with his family, especially his 12 grandchildren, 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and wife by a son, Thomas C. Sheets; a sister, Vivian Sheets Hudlow and three brothers, Raymond, Ralph and Eugene Sheets and an infant grandson. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home of Brookston. Funeral service there 10 a.m., Friday, November 11, 2011; Rev. Dr. Lelan D. McReynolds to officiate. Interment to follow in Tippecanoe Memory Gardens Cemetery, West Lafayette.